- July 14, 2025
The Vitality Blast Men 2025 tournament is heating up, and Sussex (SUS) come into their next South Group fixtures against Hampshire (HAM) buoyed by a strong performance in which they comfortably defeated Kent by 34 runs. Sussex will be able to call on individual performances, a team effort, and strong momentum going into a critical part of the tournament. All games are critical for playoff aspirations, which means Sussex must find aggression and balance. However, Hampshire is the kind of team you would not want to challenge you. Let’s take a look at a predicted playing XI for Sussex that can create a winning combination against HAM.
Openers – Who Can Set the Stadium on Fire?
In terms of an opening combination, Sussex has some exciting options that have demonstrated an ability to get the innings off to a flyer. Hughes establishes the momentum early on with his lively and commanding batting. Hughes hit a blistering 48 runs from 28 balls at a strike rate of 171.42 against Kent and had set the innings up. Hughes combines aggressive shots with sensible shot selection, which makes him the perfect player to play with freedom and put pressure on the opposition early.
Alongside Hughes, Tom Clark has also shown some good recent form with the bat and scored a brisk 43 from 25 balls with a strike rate of over 170. Clark has a natural aggression when batting and impressive timing and strokeplay that makes him an ideal player to take advantage of bad balls in the powerplay. Together, Hughes and Clark are a threatening opening combination that can take advantage of field restrictions and get the innings moving from ball one.
Middle Order – The Stabilizers
The middle order will require an anchor that is trustworthy and can stabilize and build momentum when necessary. Tom Alsop has given the team a disciplined 15 runs from 11 balls, and given that the ball is new and they’re searching for pressure, that is the type of possession Sussex needs. Alsop is adept at constructing a score while rotating the strike and building partnerships, which will allow Sussex to navigate challenging overs with the score moving forward.
John Simpson also serves as an anchor very well as he contributed 12 runs from 10 balls, with a strike rate of 120.0; and the experience and calm he will bring is essential to help manoeuvre through any difficult period the innings may encounter, as this partnership can provide a middle order that consolidates without restricting the scoring rate.
All-Rounders – The Game Changers
The all-rounders’ ability to impact both innings is invaluable to Sussex. Danny Lamb is one of those all-rounders, and his recent performance demonstrated just how valuable he is. He may have only scored 7 runs from 12 balls, but with the ball, he took 5 for 15 at 4.09, which ultimately is the match-winning contribution. Lamb’s ability to swing the ball and take wickets when they are critical is a useful resource and one that Sussex will appreciate.
James Coles is another exciting all-round option, and he was able to score a quick 12 from 5 balls and take a vital wicket too. The ability to score runs quickly and then bowl a few useful overs from Coles provides depth. Lamb and Coles as all-rounders are going to be a useful combination for Sussex, whether batting or bowling.
Bowlers – The Wicket Takers to Watch
Tymal Mills consistently applies pressure, making life difficult for the batting team. The Sussex captain bowled 3 for 20 at a frugal economy rate of 5.00 and is always taking wickets and applying pressure to the run rate. Mills’s speed and variations make him a dangerous weapon at any point of the innings, particularly at the death.
Nathan Gilchrist was also a class act with the ball, taking 3 for 31. The bounce he can get and the movement he can extract off of the pitch make him a dangerous proposition in the powerplay overs and the middle overs. With Mills and Gilchrist bowling as they are, Sussex has a good bowling attack and can rip through batting line-ups.
In preparation for their matchup against Hampshire, Sussex’s combination of explosive batting, unwavering middle-order resolve, multi-dimensional all-rounders, and a formidable bowling attack makes them a strong unit. If their key players deliver recent form, Sussex should be positioned to win another important match in the Vitality Blast Men’s 2025.
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