Sussex sign Dwayne Smith for 20/20

[CHAPPERS]

ACES!

Sussex Sign Smith To Replace Injured Mushy (from The Argus)</title>

Sussex have signed West Indies all-rounder Dwayne Smith for their Twenty20 Cup campaign.

The 25-year-old from Barbados will take over as overseas player while Mushtaq Ahmed recovers from a knee injury and will make his debut against holders Kent Spitfires at Canterbury tomorrow.

Sussex are desperate to qualify for finals day for the second year running, especially as the finalists will also play in the £2.5m Champions League at the end of the season.

Smith, who scored a 93-ball hundred on his Test debut and has also played 71 one-day internationals, was meeting up with his new team-mates today after traveling to Hove from Bolton, where he has been playing league cricket. He has just returned from the Indian Premier League where he scored 45 runs and took five wickets in four appearances for Mumbai.

With Luke Wright only available tomorrow, the Sharks were keen to add some firepower to their ranks and skipper Chris Adams believes Smith fits the bill.

He said: "I think it's an exciting signing. I haven't got a great knowledge of Dwayne but he is an outstanding one-day cricketer. He is a great fielder, hits the ball a very long way and he is an improving bowler."

Adams and coach Mark Robinson spoke to Smith's fellow Bajan Corey Collymore who insisted they should sign his former West Indies' team-mate.

"Corey thinks he will do a great job for us," said Adams. "Short-term signings are unheard of at Sussex but the times are changing, especially in Twenty20.

"It is the way forward and I wouldn't be surprised in future if the number of overseas players we are allowed in Twenty20 increases."

Mushtaq was already ruled out for the first three games and Sussex have decided to give him the whole tournament to recuperate.

Adams added: "The timing is right because Mushy needs three weeks of rest so he is ready to go for the Lancashire game in the Championship on June 29.

"There's no point in rushing him back, we need him back fully fit and refreshed and in the meantime we get an exciting young West Indian who will give us a great chance of doing well in Twenty20."

 

[Gazwag]

Now that is exciting news

 

[Fourteenth Eye]

I would have preffered to have Rana back but that wouldnt happen

 

[CHAPPERS]

I would have preffered to have Rana back but that wouldnt happen

Because he's contracted to Yorkshire?

 

[Mendoza]

Im sure this is one of the guys the bucket seats have tormented in the past

 

[Trigger]

Loving the West Indian link lately...

How COOL are we.

 

[cjwoolven]

Was quite excited when i heard hes come to sussex, hopefully he does add some firepower to the squad.

 

[Moshe Gariani]

Loving the West Indian link lately...

How COOL are we.

agreed - after our recent trio of Pakistani legends it is now nice to see these Bajan boys in town and Twenty20 will be right up their street...!

 

[Djmiles]

Looking forward to seeing him play tomorrow!

 

[SurreySeagulls]

I shall be at the Oval to watch them on Sunday

 

[Fourteenth Eye]

Because he's contracted to Yorkshire?

has he actually been playing tho ??

 

[REDLAND]

cor, at this rate it wont belong before we can compete with the 'big boys'..

 

[Seasider]

has he actually been playing tho ??

Got injured on debut out for a long time I believe

 

[Jimmy Grimble]

"He has just returned from the Indian Premier League where he scored 45 runs and took five wickets in four appearances for Mumbai."

A batting average of 11.25...hmmmm. TOP fielder, though.

 

[Paxton Dazo]

I suggested we should do this about a month ago, its a great idea because Mushy isnt a great 20-20 player as he walks so far to leg its unbleivable and he can only bowl 4 overs , so well done Sussex

 

[SeagullTim]

I would have loved to keep Mushy for the Twenty20's, but because he's injured, Dwayne Smith looks like a great signing.

Mushy has a brilliant bowling average at Twenty20, under 15, and will be missed.

 

[Paxton Dazo]

Yardy, Rayner ( Yes Rayner) , Could be as good as Mushtaq in 20-20

 

[SeagullTim]

Rayners bowling average is 90+
Yardys is almost 40
Mushtaqs is 13

Yardy's still a handy bowler for us but is not as good as Mushtaq.

 

[Paxton Dazo]

I really dont think there is such a thing as a Good Bowler in 20-20 plus mushy is about 97 so he cant field

SCCC

 

[Basil Fawlty]

Fantastic stuff. This link with the WI is very promising.