Sussex CCC previews for the 2025 season - Tom Alsop talks to Will Hugall about his winter work and his hopes for the new cricket season.
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00:00Right, Tom, pleasure. How's your winter been, first of all?
00:04Yeah, winter's been really good, thank you.
00:07It was a mix of spending time here and abroad, but no, it was really good.
00:13And of course, Big Bash, ILT20. How did you feel after both of those?
00:17Yeah, really good. It was really nice just to take a bit of momentum from, I guess, our domestic season
00:22and then carry it on in the winter.
00:24It's been something that I've been, I guess, aiming towards in recent times and stuff,
00:29so it was really nice just to obviously play some cricket in and around the world
00:34and get some experience from it.
00:36And you've been relatively new to the franchise environment over the last 12 months, 18 months or so.
00:42Have you found it drastically different to the set of a county championship squad?
00:47Yes and no. I think different competitions, like the Big Bash I found was relatively similar to our set-up.
00:54Obviously, guys associated with states, the teams were based and stuff like that,
01:00so that very much felt like a bit more of a county set-up, if you understand.
01:06And then the ILT20 stuff, that was definitely a lot more how I pictured franchise cricket.
01:11You've obviously got a lot more overseas put together in a makeshift team and that kind of stuff, yeah.
01:18And has it been a really important thing for you, being at Sussex,
01:22given the freedom, given the coaching, obviously quality coaches in Grant and Ashley and Paul here.
01:28Has that really given you the confidence to kick on and develop your batting, particularly for white ball cricket?
01:33Yeah, I think so. Obviously, you've got a wealth of experience there, like you say,
01:37from different teams and different competitions and all different levels, really,
01:41with obviously Fabian Grant at the international level and stuff.
01:45So, yeah, their input has been invaluable, really.
01:47And then I guess it's a case of just getting a bit more belief and confidence from doing it bit by bit.
01:55And of course, I was chatting to Tom Hayes just now.
01:57Again, you're a key part of the leadership group as much as he is, obviously in the slips as well, very vocal.
02:04Does that role really increase this season or is it nice to have potentially a bit of consistency in terms of that?
02:10Yeah, I think consistency is always good.
02:13You kind of know where you stand and kind of prep all for it, really.
02:18So, yeah, I mean, I don't know what Haynes said earlier,
02:21but like you say, just having a consistent group, often get together and share ideas and stuff.
02:27So, yeah.
02:28And obviously, it's been a pretty settled winter in terms of that as well,
02:31because there's only been a handful of signers coming in, not many outgoings.
02:34Obviously, captain's consistent as well.
02:36So, presumably, that's been quite nice grounding to sort of lead you into this season.
02:40Yeah, definitely. And I think it's an exciting season ahead.
02:43I think everyone's a year older, a year more experienced and stuff like that.
02:47And we've got a wealth of talent here in the squad, the likes of Haynes, Coles, Carson, Crocombe.
02:56And even young lads that haven't quite had a go yet, like Ibrahim and Tyr and stuff like that.
03:02The future is really bright here.
03:04And it's just nice that I think what Fabi's done really well is set the club up well for the future almost.
03:11And I'm sure when those guys, as we'll see over the years, they're top players.
03:16And I imagine the conversations have been had over the winter as well, that like Simmo and like Danny Lamb,
03:22obviously, you're one of the players, one of the few players who do have a Division One experience within the squad.
03:27Yeah.
03:28Presumably, the other players have been leaning on you a bit and the coaching staff have been encouraging you to lend a bit of experience that way.
03:33Yeah, a little bit.
03:34Like, I think the overall message is just that, you know, yes, it's going to be harder.
03:40But, I mean, guys, a lot of the guys have shared dressing rooms with other Div1 players.
03:45You know, the guys have been on the lines and shared changing rooms with them.
03:49And they're only human, just like we are.
03:52And, you know, the guys have got the skills to compete and win games in Division One for sure.
03:57So it's just I'm sure there'll be a little bit of grounding and stuff in the first few games, but we'll quickly hopefully get into our stride.
04:05Awesome. And we'll go for a few quickfire questions just to finish off.
04:09Firstly, which ground are you most looking forward to visiting this season?
04:13The Oval. I've always liked the Oval.
04:15Fantastic. And if we look at all three competitions, I'm going to break them down separately.
04:19Who do you think is going to be our highest run scorer in each of those?
04:22Oh, that's a good question.
04:25Could be yourself, of course.
04:26Yeah. God, Div1 batting. There's probably a lot of run scorers, isn't there?
04:35Haynes, he wasn't too confident about Championship. He was confident in himself in 50 over.
04:39Was he? No. Sorry, is this an R squad?
04:42Yes, it's an R squad.
04:43OK, sorry, I was racking my brain.
04:44I know, give you too much to think about.
04:47No, I would say, yeah, Tom Haynes or James Coles in Championship cricket.
04:53In T20 cricket, hard not to look past Shusie after the year he had last year.
04:58In 50 over cricket, I'd get to go either John Simpson or Tom Haynes.
05:03And we'll also look at wicket takers in our squad for all three clubs.
05:05Wicket takers.
05:07Ollie Robinson in Championship, T20, Tim O'Mills.
05:13And 50 over, I'd say Henry Crocombe.
05:16Brilliant. And finally, who's going to be the breakthrough player or a bit of a wild card for us this season?
05:21Yeah, I'd say Charlie Teer.
05:25He looks like he's had a really good winter.
05:28And obviously he's gone away with Scotland and stuff like that.
05:31And he's come back and he's just grown on and off the field, really.
05:36So hopefully he gets a chance and shows everyone how good he is.
05:39Yeah, and similar to yourself in terms of glove work and top order as well.
05:42Yeah, that's right.
05:43Yeah, I think he's a bit more of, yeah, his glove work with the Red Bull stuff.
05:48So, yeah, we're not sure where he hopefully gets his chance.
05:53And, yeah, like I say, he's a fantastic talent.
05:56So, yeah.
05:57OK, brilliant. Thank you very much, Tom.
05:58No worries.