Garton is a bright spot in the Sussex gloom

It's not been a good week for Sussex '“ but at least teenage fast bowler George Garton has had a few days to remember.
George Garton in one-day cup action for Sussex / Picture by Phil WestlakeGeorge Garton in one-day cup action for Sussex / Picture by Phil Westlake
George Garton in one-day cup action for Sussex / Picture by Phil Westlake

The county were knocked out of both one-day competitions on successive nights but for 19-year-old Garton the past few days could not have gone better.

On Monday he took 4 for 43 in his third appearance of the tri-series for England Lions against Sri Lanka A and followed it up two days later with 3 for 40 in the Royal London One-Day Cup against Hampshire.

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Then on Thursday, Garton recorded competition-best figures for the second day running when he took 4 for 16 against Glamorgan in the NatWest T20 Blast.

“It’s been a great few days, a really good learning experience in all three games,” said Garton. “Being called up by the Lions was a bit of a surprise to be honest but it was good to go off and be in and around a different set of lads.

“I knew a few from playing for England U-19s last winter so there were a few familiar faces. We didn’t do too much technical stuff and the coaches have just told me to keep progressing and then we’ll see what happens in terms of squad for the Winter.”

Garton gets good pace and carry despite his relatively-slender frame and his emergence of Garton and that of fellow fast bowlers Stuart Whittingham and Jofra Archer have been the major pluses for Sussex in a disappointing season.

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The Sharks have two Royal London Cup ties against Somerset at Taunton on Saturday and Kent at Hove on Tuesday to complete their one-day season before their focus switches to the Specsavers County Championship and next week’s game against second division leaders Essex at Colchester.

Although they have not lost in their first ten Championship games, just one victory has left them sixth in the table and 42 points behind next week’s opponents, albeit with a game in hand.

By the time they arrive at Colchester they should have strengthened their squad with an overseas all-rounder due to arrive at the start of next week.

The as-yet-unidentified player is coming in from the Caribbean Premier League and it could be South African David Wiese, who made such a favourable impression during a brief stint with the Sharks in the Blast earlier this summer.

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Garton is sure to be involved given his current form. “I’m looking forward to the rest of the season,” he added. “I’m in good rhythm, the ball is coming out right and I just want to put in some good performances for my county.”

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