Confidence is high - Yardy

SUSSEX County Cricket Club skipper Mike Yardy says confidence in the camp is high ahead of the team’s t20 campaign.

Speaking at the club’s t20 press conference, Yardy said: “We’ve always done well at t20, but it’s a tricky group. We have a good team, though, with all bases covered. We started well in the Pro40 competition, too, so confidence is high at the moment.”

Having qualified out of their group in six out of the last seven seasons, Yardy has good reason to be fearless.

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The 31-year-old said: “The key thing is winning home games and making it a fortress, and then you can afford a few mishaps away from home. Last year you could afford to start badly with 16 games to play, but because it’s 10 games this year, momentum really is key.”

Yardy was also complimentary about the club’s new overseas stars, New Zealander Scott Styris and South African Rusty Theron. He said: “They’re good guys and fit in well with the dressing room, and they’ll bring in their own experience and skill.

“Scott is a very dangerous striker of the cricket ball, which we’ve unfortunately been on the wrong end of for a few years when he was with Essex. We’re very happy to have him.

“But, more importantly, they’re both here for the full 10 games, so we won’t be chopping and changing, which means continuity for the team.”

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Meanwhile, Yardy also supported the ECB’s decision to cut down the number of group matches from 16 to 10. He said: “The key for me as a player is trying to get enough cricket into time that’s realistic.

“I think you’d want a good spectacle when you come and watch, and if the players are playing three games in four days, with some on the road, then you’re not going to see the best quality players at their peak.”

The Sharks start their campaign at Tunbridge Wells against Kent Spitfires tonight (Tuesday, June 12).