"IT is the best time of year for a cricketer."
That is the view of Sussex cricketer Chris Nash as his county embarks on their T20 campaign next week.
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AWAY IT GOES: Chris Nash batting at T20 finals day at Edgbaston against Somerset Sabres in 2009 Photo by Andy Jones
Sussex will begin their quest to reach finals day with a visit to Tunbridge Wells to face Kent on Tuesday, before a return to Hove in front of the Sky television cameras for a home match with Hampshire on Thursday.
These are the first of ten fixtures for Sussex in the southern group, all of which are boxed into a month-long schedule.
And Nash said that is one of the best things about the competition this year.
He said: "It is an exciting month – it is the best time of year really.
"It is great for the fans and great for the players with big crowds and a really good atmosphere."
Nash said the length of the games and their action packed nature were obvious attractions to T20 cricket, adding that the competition offered a great introduction for those unfamiliar with the sport.
Meanwhile, Nash recalls Sussex's triumph in the Twenty20 Cup in 2009 with fond memories, adding that it was a "special moment" in his career.
He said: "It was a special time. Finals day is a great day – it is a long day, but it is a great feeling if you can win."
And Nash is hoping Sussex can make it to this season's finals day at Glamorgan's SWALEC Stadium in Cardiff, after reaching at least the quarter-finals in four of the last five seasons.
He said: "This is a great tournament and there is the added incentive of the Champions League now too.
"One-day cricket has been one of our strengths and hopefully we can do well again."
However, Nash said it would be tough, with several good sides in the southern group.
He said: "Historically, it has probably been the toughest group.
"A lot of the sides in the group have made it to finals day and it is arguably the strongest division so hardest to get out of.
"You would probably say that every team has a chance."
But with explosive hitters such as Luke Wright and Scott Styris in the Sussex side, Nash is confident of his side's chances.
He said: "We have got a lot of firepower in our batting and variety in our bowling.
"People like Gatts [Joe Gatting] and Matt Machan add a lot to the line-up, alongside Luke [Wright] and Scott Styris."
The T20 World Cup is also coming up later in the year – arguably giving this year's county competition added significance – although Nash is not looking beyond his county's own fortunes.
"You just have to try and win as many games as possible for your county," he said.
"I think you have to just go out and win your games and if anything comes as a result of that, then that is great."
Source: www.thisissussex.co.uk
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