Corks still popping for Sussex

Robin Martin-Jenkins thinks Sussex have a real chance of success again © Getty Images

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Despite Sussex's double success last year, it seems Robin Martin-Jenkins cannot get enough of champagne.

Plenty of bubbly was surely sipped in Hove after the south coast club captured the County Championship title and the C&G Trophy, but Martin-Jenkins is not content with just drinking it.

The 31-year-old all-rounder has spent his past few winters working in the wine trade in preparation for his life after cricket and he has found the change of scenery refreshing.

“At the end of the season, I usually need two to three months away,” he said.

“I've been working for a champagne distributor, helping the sales team and I've done it for the past three winters.

“I am trying to learn about wine trading and it is good to get a different angle on life. It is definitely something I am considering for the future.”

Martin-Jenkins may even get the chance to arrange delivery of his team-mates' celebratory drinks this summer, as he firmly believes more success could be around the corner.

Sussex have bolstered their squad with the addition of Pakistani spinner Saqlain Mushtaq, while captain Chris Adams' decision to reject the overtures of Yorkshire at the 11th hour has given the team a lift.

Chris Adams decided the lure of Sussex was too great to move away © Getty Images

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Adams, in one of the more remarkable stories of the winter, was paraded at Headingley as Yorkshire's new captain and director of cricket but he opted to stay at Sussex after a change of heart.

“It is good to have our captain for another year,” Martin-Jenkins said. “We thought we might have lost him at one stage.

“It was a surprise at first but, when I heard the details of the offer, I think anyone would have taken it up, so I was not surprised in the end.

“He had his reasons to turn it down, and I'm glad he did. To have him back is like having a new signing. He is a great leader.”

The arrival of one of the game's great off-spinners in Saqlain is interesting, with the inventor of the now-infamous ‘doosra', who has played 49 Tests for Pakistan, initially coming as cover for compatriots Mushtaq Ahmed and Rana Naved-ul-Hasan.

Mushtaq and Rana had been ruled out of the early part of the season due to the World Cup but Pakistan's premature elimination may alter the picture.

Saqlain, who returns to county cricket three years after leaving Surrey, nevertheless will be staying as he becomes eligible for a British passport in April having married an Englishwoman.

He could even qualify to play for England next year but, for now, the prospect of him bowling in tandem with Mushtaq for Sussex is an enticing one.

“We have got Saqlain to strengthen the spin department and that has given everyone a boost,” said Martin-Jenkins. “It's always good to sign a legend.

“We think we have strengthened the squad and some of the guys have that extra year's experience.

Saqlain Mushtaq has boosted Sussex's impressive spin department © Getty Images

“There is no reason why we can't win it again this year but we start afresh. It is vital we get off to a good start, and we will be looking to do that.”

Martin-Jenkins looks back on 2006 with great affection and feels privileged to have played a role in one of the great periods in Sussex's history.

They may be the oldest county club in the country but Sussex had to wait until 2003 to taste championship glory and last year's double provided even greater memories.

“We're very lucky as a squad,” Martin-Jenkins admitted. “Lord's last year and the first championship in 2003 have been the two highlights for me.

“I'd never played in a game like the final last year, or an atmosphere like it. It was exciting to play in front of 20,000 at Lord's - and get some money and silverware!

On a personal level, despite his potential, Martin-Jenkins has never quite produced the performances that could see him earn England recognition.

It is something he readily admits to but he insists he is not ready to give up on his hopes of a cap just yet.

“I know that you are never that far away, if you can put together a good run and the selectors are watching,” said Martin-Jenkins, who averaged 32.88 with the bat but managed to take just 14 first-class wickets last term.

“They have picked players like Jon Lewis and Shaun Udal in recent years and that gives people like me in our thirties confidence.

“I have still got ambitions, and if I didn't have them I probably wouldn't play county cricket.

“I'm happy with my game, but you are never satisfied. You always want to do better.”

If he can catch the eye of the selectors this year, he really will have reason to pop the champagne corks.