Well done, Will Beer, for being the latest Sussex cricketer who is not RHB to commit to a nice, long juicy contract with the county. He had a very interesting season with us last summer and has definitely proved that he has the character to compete for us in the tightest of situations. For me, anyone who has spent his whole life being called Will Beer and so has inevitably encountered a hundred very tiring jokes about all parts of his name since he was about 4 years old deserves respect. Presumably he has now mastered the art of not wincing or rolling his eyes when the latest unimaginative media pundit, reflecting on a Sussex win, quips that 'the drinks are on you, aren't they?' For that self-control alone, give the man a contract.
The very welcome news about Beer reminded me of something that happened last summer, down at Arundel for the 40 over match against Hampshire. A friend of mine saw a young lad wearing a Will Beer top hanging around the cordoned off area where the players sit, holding one of those miniature bats that kids get autographed. Now, along with a contract and a regular parking spot, you know you've made it when supporters start wearing tops with your name on. My friend was silently congratulating Will Beer on having achieved what is a significant milestone in any young county cricketer's life ... when the lad turned around. It was, of course, not a fan wearing a Will Beer top but Will Beer himself wearing (less surprisingly now) a Will Beer top.
Well, he might look a bit like he's skiving off last lesson on Friday afternoon to hang around with the big boys, but we think he is a star in the making - a Sussex star, I hasten to add, before anyone else gets any ideas...
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