Sami maintains Sussex tradition

Mohammad Sami has “big footsteps” to follow - but has made a very favourable impression already as Sussex’s latest resident Pakistani.

It was two late wickets from the 27-year-old which last night suddenly gave the LV County Championship Division One champions control of their relegation scrap with Yorkshire at Hove.

Sami (3-39) helped to reduce Yorkshire to 84 for six after a severely rain-shortened first day of this final round of 2008 matches.

Sussex are therefore in pole position to avoid the drop, having held a four-point advantage over the White Rose at start of play.

Reflecting on Sami’s telling impact, Sussex coach Mark Robinson said: “That is the beauty of having a fast bowler. We’ve always said that - fast bowlers make things happen.

“They can do it from nowhere, ably backed up by Jason Lewry and ‘Tucker’ (Robin Martin-Jenkins) again.

“They can even make things happen with a bad ball. That first one was there to cut - but with that yard of pace on it, it forces the error.”

As for Sami’s longer-term future on the south coast, he is beginning to make a persuasive case to be re-engaged as the overseas recruit next season - having arrived only this month to replace his retired compatriot Mushtaq Ahmed.

Mohammad Sami celebrates Graeme Swann's wicket in Sussex's NatWest Pro40 triumph over Notts which wrapped up the Division One title

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The record-breaking leg-spinner is the highest-profile of a succession of Pakistanis who have served Sussex so well in their glory years - namely Saqlain Mushtaq, Rana Naved-ul-Hasan and Yasir Arafat.

“Sami’s fitted in,” Robinson reports.

“He’s followed in the footsteps of all our other Pakistanis - who have been brilliant, as players and people.

“They’ve all just got stuck in, worked really hard and been a joy to be around.

“All of them have just been low maintenance, and Mohammad at the moment is the same.”

It is the character as well as ability of the signings which is high on Sussex’s priority list.

“They have all come highly-recommended as people, which is the first thing,” added Robinson.

“Mushy lets us know which ones we should be having, and they’ve got a bit of a legacy.

“There’s a bit of responsibility now for Mohammad coming in. All our boys have left a little note for him, on the wall, and he knows there are big footsteps to follow.”

Sami could scarcely have done much better so far, having even chipped in with tail-end batting to help Sussex win the NatWest Pro40 title from a near impossible position against Nottinghamshire at Trent Bridge.

“Mohammad at the moment is doing everything,” the coach acknowledges.

“He was part of that Pro40 win, then a five-for in his last match up at Durham - and he’s opened the game up here.”

As for his chances of a return next year, Robinson added: “He puts himself in the frame. He’s done brilliantly.”