RMJ
The news that Robin Martin-Jenkins is to retire in a few weeks time was greeted with sorrow by Sussex fans, not least because RMJ has been holding the side together in recent weeks. Bowling 1st or 2nd change, and batting at 8 0r 9, he has been in some of his very best form, with vital innings to shore up a shaky batting lineup and crucial wickets to boost a meagre pace attack.
But now the end is nigh, and a position teaching at Hurstpierpoint College beckons. It’s not the usual post-sport career path of coaching or media (although RMJ has made forays into the media already), but it’s a career none the less.
It has been a very good, if not glorious cricketing career, and there were times when a call-up to England’s limited overs side was not out of the question. Hell, they tried almost everyone else.
In domestic cricket the truth is that, behind the mystery of Mushy, the snarling of Grizzly and the relentless run-gettery of Murray Goodwin, RMJ played an important, understated part in much of Sussex’s success of the last ten years, pitching in when needed with vital contributions yet rarely snatching the headlines.
In recent weeks, though, his contributions have been to the fore – 65 and 33* plus 5 wickets in the opening victory over Glamorgan; 5-46 and 64 against Surrey; 102 in the 2nd innings against Gloucestershire; 66* to save the follow on against Worcestershire.
His departure will leave a hole in the Sussex lineup that will be hard to fill. The seam bowling cupboard has become increasingly bare in recent years after the retirement of Jason Lewry and with James Kirtley used more sparingly in his senior years.
Signing Monty Panesar during the winter was a bold gamble, but with good young spinners in Ollie Raynor and Will Beer, was it really necessary? I felt at the time that the money would have been better spent on a high quality new-ball bowler.
James Anyon was signed mainly on the basis that he’d taken a few wickets against Sussex in the past, and this leaves a large burden on the shoulders of Yasir Arafat and Corey Colleymore.
Still, that’s an argument for another day, in the meantime let’s enjoy RMJ’s remaining games and salute one of county cricket’s stalwart servants.
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