To mark the 50th anniversary of overseas players coming to county cricket in large numbers, we’ve asked an expert on each county to pick their top three for that club. Here’s Sussex, as selected by Mike Yardy, former club captain and now batting coach.
1. MUSHTAQ AHMED
Pakistan (2003-08)
If Carlsberg did overseas players… Mushy played against us for Surrey at Hove the year before we signed him. Murray Goodwin and Chris Adams batted against him and said how well he bowled, and that he still had his spark. At that point the club decided they wanted him.
He was a legend on the field (478 first- class wickets for Sussex at 25, including 103, 102 and 90 respectively in the County Championship winning seasons of 2003, 2006 and 2007), and for what he did for the club, but I also can’t speak highly enough of him as a person. He was a genuine guy who added to the dressing-room culture enormously. He helped me so much as a cricketer and a person.
2. IMRAN KHAN
Pakistan (1977-88)
He was before my time but Imran Khan was an absolutely iconic cricketer and before we won the Championship in 2003 it was during his time that we got closest. I’d listen to stories from people around the club and they all said what a superstar he was.
3. MURRAY GOODWIN
Zimbabwe (2001-04, and 2005-12 as a Kolpak)
Murray had a phenomenal work ethic and attention to detail, and young players learnt from him just by watching the way he went about his practice. Like Mushy, he was a huge influence on my career and I was lucky enough to bat with him a number of times. We had some really good partnerships. The opportunity to spend time at the crease with a truly top-class batsman beats a thousand net sessions.
