One-hit wonder Sandri departs

Marcus North was the third of Pepler Sandri's victims in his famous spell at Hove during Australia's first Ashes tour game

Pepler Sandri’s short-lived but noteworthy spell at Sussex has come to an end, after the club announced the South African would not return in 2010.

Sandri, 26, who qualified as a non-overseas player by virtue of his Italian father, signed a one-year contract in March but played just two first-team games.

However, the medium-pacer will forever be remembered in England as the man who took the first wicket of Australia’s Ashes tour, when he bowled Phillip Hughes for 15 at Hove.

Sandri took 3-73 in that innings, but only played another first-team game for the county, an unsuccessful outing against Nottinghamshire in the LV= County Championship.

Mark Robinson, Sussex professional cricket manager, said: “We’re really disappointed that it didn’t work out with Pepler.

“He was never able to really settle into the demands of English cricket. We wish him all the best and thank him for all the hard work that he put into the season.”