JOHN SIMPSON was in a relaxed but confident mood on the eve of the County Championship season as he spoke to The Cricket Paper about his new start on the south coast as captain of Sussex. Having left Middlesex after 16 seasons in the winter, the rejuvenated Simpson said, “it’s very nice down here by the sea with some lovely restaurants and coffee shops. It is certainly a different pace of life to Willesden Green.
“Promotion is our goal here at Sussex this season. We have a really nice blend of youth and experience. You look at the likes of James Coles, Henry Crocombe, Archie Lenham, Jack Carson, Oli Carter and others and there is no reason why they can’t go on and play for England. My role is to act as a mentor to them and hopefully quicken their lear ning curve. Mixed in with myself, Ollie Robinson, Jayden Seales, Cheteshwar Pujara, Fynn Hudson-Prentice and Danny Lamb, it is a really nice blend of not only the experience but overseas and local talent.
“It will be difficult because Division 2 is a strong as any that I’ve come across and will be very competitive – possibly the most competitive it has ever been. We want to be in the mix come September, that’s where the fun starts.”
Despite being in unfamiliar surroundings, Simpson has always had to adapt in a wandering, meandering journey that saw him rise from the Lancashire Leagues as a childhood protégé to gaining England caps, and playing a pivotal part in Middlesex’s County Championship title of 2016 along the way. “I was training inter mittently and travelling down until February and moved into a place here then. The boys have been brilliant with me and have helped me settle in. I’m really looking forward to the challenge and to being captain.”
Despite his new surroundings and being thrust into the captaincy limelight, one thing that was familiar to Simpson was when he tossed the coin with Luke Proctor at the start of the season’s
