"Pretty stupid" - Tymal Mills blasts T20 Blast's schedule as teams set to lose players ahead of knockout stage due to ENG vs AUS white-ball series

Sussex captain Tymal Mills has called out the schedule of the Vitality T20 Blast as the tournament's knockout stage will not feature a number of players, with the T20 series against Australia looming. The left-arm seamer especially remains unhappy over losing Jofra Archer for the business end of the competition.

Archer, Phil Salt, Liam Livingstone, and Saqib Mahmood were in action during the second quarter-final of the T20 Blast, with Sussex winning by eight wickets against Lancashire. However, all four are part of the T20I squad and will have to begin their preparations for the series on September 11.

Speaking after Sussex's big win over Lancashire, Mills said Archer's absence is a massive loss and expects others to step up in the semi-final on 14. He elaborated, as quoted by ESPN Cricinfo:

"As far as I'm aware, no England players will be available - which is pretty stupid, to be honest. Obviously, no England players will be there from any side but it is a real shame for us to lose a player like Jof. Whoever comes in for him will have big boots to fill. For us, it hurts us a lot because you take Jofra Archer out of your team and it is a huge loss."

"Other counties - Surrey, for example - can maybe cover their losses a bit better than what we can, but it is what it is. The XI that's taking the field on the 14th will have to step up. But I'm sure you won't find many people that will agree with the schedule and say, 'Yeah, it's great.'"

Archer was outstanding with the ball during the second quarter-final, returning with figures of 3.3-0-20-2 as Sussex restricted Lancashire to 114.

"There were a couple of times when I've got a little bit defensive with fields" - Tymal Mills

Mills further suggested that he has enjoyed captaincy and has liked to be involved more in the game instead of standing on the boundary. The 32-year-old added:

"I've never even captained in a club game before but I've really loved it. I've always been a senior player and I like to think about the game a lot: I don't just stand at fine leg, look at the sky and twiddle my thumbs…

"One thing I've learned is just to trust your gut. There were a couple of times when I've got a little bit defensive with fields or bowling changes, and it comes back to haunt you."

Sussex finished second in the South Group table of the T20 Blast 2024.