Sussex stars flourish in New Zealand, Australia and Pakistan

Welcome to another week of Sussex Winter Watch where we take a look at how Sussex players are getting on around the world. This week's column features three Sharks on international duty with England and others in action in the Pakistan Super League.
Danni Wyatt / Picture: GettyDanni Wyatt / Picture: Getty
Danni Wyatt / Picture: Getty

Jofra Archer returned to England’s Test squad for their third Test against India at Ahmedabad. With the Test being a day-night affair England lined up with three seamers, including Archer but it seemed that one side had got it wrong at the toss as India fielded three spinners.

That side proved to be England as despite winning the toss, England were bowled out for 112 in their first innings, Archer finishing as just one of four players to score double figures, with 11.

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Archer got England’s reply with the ball off to a good start, grabbing his only wicket of the innings when he had Shubman Gill caught by Zak Crawley for 11. England looked to be struggling but were bailed out by Joe Root’s first career five-wicket haul, to bowl India out for 145.

David Wiese / Picture: GettyDavid Wiese / Picture: Getty
David Wiese / Picture: Getty

However, this burst from Root didn’t stop England‘s batting woes as they crumbled once again on a pitch that was described by many fans and pundits as poor. England were bowled out for 81, with Archer dismissed for a two-ball duck by Ravichandran Ashwin. India were able to chase down the small target of 49 with ease to take a 2-1 series lead going into the final Test.

Meanwhile, in New Zealand, Danni Wyatt and Freya Davies were hoping to help England to an ODI series win.

In England’s first game at Christchurch, Davies helped restrict New Zealand to 179, taking the wicket of Amelia Kerr for 13. In England’s chase, Wyatt was out for 17 off 21 balls but the visitors were still able to cruise a comfortable eight-wicket win.

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Davies was left out for the second game, but Wyatt kept her spot at the top of the order. England, chasing 193 to win, lost Wyatt to her first ball of the innings, bowled by Jess Kerr. However, England yet again showed their prowess and sealed the series with a seven-wicket win.

Davies returned to the side for the third ODI to join up with Wyatt but neither flourished with the bat, the latter scoring one run and the former two as England were bowled out for 220. Davies was able to get an early wicket, having Natalie Dodd caught by Heather Knight for three but was unable to New Zealand winning, the hosts winning by seven wickets and Davies finishing with figures of 1-33.

In Australia, Travis Head was in imperious form for his Sheffield Shield side, South Australia, as they took on Western Australia. Captaining his side, Head made 223 in 245 balls in their first innings total of 510/8, in his first knock since being dropped from the Australia Test side.

Head made 15 off 22 balls in their second innings total of 230/9 before his side fell agonisingly short of a win, just one wicket away before a draw was called.

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Several Sussex players were in action in the Pakistan Super League as the group stage games continued.

Rashid Khan and David Wiese started the week well with a nine-wicket win over Quetta Gladiators. Both Rashid and Wiese attempted to restrict Quetta Gladiators, the former chipping in with the wicket of Chris Gayle for 68, but were both costly, Rashid, finishing with 1-30 and Wiese going for 22 runs off two overs.

It was to be Rashid’s last game for the franchise as he was called up for international duty. Wiese continued but was unable to carry on the winning streak as he contributed 13 runs to his side’s seven-wicket loss to Multan Sultans.

On Sunday Wiese scored an unbeaten 31 from just NINE balls to secure a brilliant victory for Lahore Qalandars against reigning champions Karachi Kings.

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When he came in at number four, the Qalandars required an improbable 35 from 16 balls. Three fours and three sixes later, the all-rounder had smashed his side past their target of 187 with four balls to spare. It was with consecutive sixes that Wiese made it three wins from four for the Qalandars in the tournament. Lahore’s triumph was the eleventh occasion in eleven matches that the side chasing has won in this year’s PSL.

Earlier in the match, Wiese took the wicket of Karachi opener Sharjeel Khan but his four overs cost 42 runs as the Kings made 186 for 9.

Phil Salt was in action with Islamabad United as they took on Karachi Kings. While Salt didn’t have the best of games, dismissed for a two-ball duck in his side’s chase of 197, Islamabad still came away with a five-wicket win. After a 100% winning start, Salt was unable to keep it going for Islamabad as they fell to a six-wicket loss to Peshawar Zalmi, with the wicketkeeper scoring just nine runs from 11 balls.