Ishant Sharma gives his first impressions of Sussex

Whist waiting for play to get underway on the second day of the pre-season friendly against Surrey, Sussex’s newly-arrived overseas player Ishant Sharma took the time to give us his first impressions of the club he will represent for the next two months.

The Indian international is full of praise for Hove as a town and the way he has been welcomed at The 1st Central County Ground.

“I get on well with all the boys and Dizzy has been really good with me”

Ishant’s desire to play county cricket – he explains – is borne out of conversations with his former Indian teammate, Zaheer Khan, who had something of a second coming in international cricket following his spell with Worcestershire in 2006.

From what he has seen so far, the 29-year-old is impressed with Sussex’s group of fast bowlers and is sure that there will be plenty of competition for places as the season gets underway.

“From what everyone has told me, no other county has as good a bowling attack as Sussex”

Ahead of his first stint in county cricket, Ishant has had plenty of messages of support from Indian fans - who fondly remember his fine performances in England for their country in the past.

The reaction he has received from the supporters that he encountered so far here in Sussex has also been overwhelmingly positive.

Ishant finishes by telling us about a unique way – certainly amongst Sussex cricketers part or present – that fans can stay in touch with him during his time on the south coast.

Watch the full interview at the top of this page.

Catch Ishant in action at The 1st Central County Ground during this season’s Specsavers County Championship and Royal London One-Day Cup group matches with a Sussex Membership. Find out more and secure yours here.