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I'm gutted to miss out

Leicestershire Foxes batsman John Sadler does not attempt to hide his feelings at missing out on the Twenty20 Cup finals at the Brit Oval tomorrow.

Leicestershire Foxes batsman John Sadler does not attempt to hide his feelings at missing out on the Twenty20 Cup finals at the Brit Oval tomorrow.

A fractured collar-bone has ruled out the young left-hander, who played a key role in the side's progress to the knock-out stages of the competition.

"I'm absolutely gutted,'' said Sadler, who hopes to return to action by the middle of next month.

However, he admitted that he had not been surprised to receive the bad news on Tuesday, 10 days after being hit by a short ball from Australia's Brett Lee.

"The fact that it hadn't been getting better for a week meant that I was already starting to ask questions in my own mind,'' he added. "So I was already half-prepared that I wasn't going to play. It wasn't much of a shock when I got the news but it was still very disappointing when it was made official, especially having been part of the first eight games."

An important part, too, with quick runs often made in testing circumstances.

"I was happy with the way I was playing,'' Sadler added.

"I've played in the previous two competitions and the first year I was batting eight or nine, even 10 at one point.

"Last year I had more of a role to play. I opened the batting until Brad Hodge decided he should go in first and after that I didn't really contribute the runs I wanted to.

"But this year the fact that I have gone in and made vital contributions has been really satisfying.

"I was pleased with the way it was going - when the team is winning and you are contributing it doesn't really get any better.''

Sadler also knows just what an emotional time Finals Day can be and he leaves you in no doubt about what last year's triumph over Surrey meant to him.

"It was probably the best day's cricket I have been involved in,'' he said.

"It was hard work with the two games and the heat but to play in front of that crowd was just brilliant.''

And, in his absence, Sadler is looking to his team-mates to continue with the approach that took them to glory last year and has again worked wonders this season.

He said: "Our basic plans are still the same. Darren Maddy has not fired in the same way as he did last year - apart from against Yorkshire - so imagine how good we will be when he does get going!

"But HD Ackerman has come in and done well, and there have been vital contributions down the order. The bowling has been just as good as it was last year - it is just a credit to the whole team.''

Injured or not, Sadler is a part of that team and, even though he misses out tomorrow, he deserves recognition for the role he has already played.

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