It’s been a hectic time of late, so let’s check in with the headlines from the world of Brighton sport.
Sussex cricketers have been busy over the last few days, with games in both the Specsavers County Championship and the Natwest T20 Blast. On both occasions, Sussex have been denied victory by Glamorgan and on both occasions, batsman David Lloyd was their tormentor. After hitting an unbeaten century to force the Hove outfit into stalemate, Lloyd went on to star in the shortest format by hammering 81 from just 55 deliveries as Glamorgan romped to a 46 run victory.
As well as tournament duty, Sussex also entertained England’s next summer tourists Pakistan in a drawn three day game. A resolute 145 from Pakistan’s Azhar Ali helped the visitors rack up 363-5 declared, while a free-scoring century from youngster Harry Finch saw Sussex declare on 291-5. Arguably the surprise stand-out performance came from Horsham’s Jofra Archer, who was making his first class debut for Sussex. The 21-year-old seam bowler took an impressive 4-49 in the first innings and managed 1-24 in the second as the match fizzled out on the third day.
Obviously the Amex is no stranger to football, but today Brighton and Hove Albion announced that it will play host to a darts match between two of the game’s greats. The ‘World Darts Blockbuster’, scheduled for the 20th October, will feature Phil ‘The Power’ Taylor and Gary ‘The Flying Scotsman’ Anderson – both of whom are former world number ones. Exciting times indeed for Brighton-based darts fanatics.
The Amex will host a World Darts Blockbuster. #BHAFC https://t.co/uxQT48UhWO pic.twitter.com/I8PwVOioDT
— Brighton & Hove Albion (@OfficialBHAFC) July 12, 2016
There are also fresh developments on the transfer market as Beram Kayal is supposedly a target for newly promoted Hull City. While the Israeli was influential in the Seagulls’ promotion bid last year, he has just one year left on his contract and it may be in Albion’s interests to cash in before he runs it down. A successful 2016/17 season, however, could see Kayal extend his stay at Brighton if they do end up in the top flight.
But Kayal is not the only hot property in the Brighton midfield, with Burnley reportedly in pursuit of Brighton’s Dale Stephens. Albion have supposedly rejected a two bids, the second of around £4m, for the midfielder. Sean Dyche is in clear need of midfield reinforcements after losing Joey Barton to Rangers, and was dealt another blow at the weekend after a bid of around £3m was rejected for Derby’s Euro 2016 star Jeff Hendrick. Having now rejected two large bids from the Clarets, it appears Stephens is very much in Seagulls boss Chris Hughton‘s plans.
Featured image: Stephen Lawrence via Twitter
