It is not Mark Robinson’s style to blow his own trumpet.
Like his predecessor Peter Moores, he prefers to be out of the spotlight so it was no surprise as the players were spraying the champagne around the Edgbaston outfield last Saturday that Robinson stood a respectable distance away, observing events with a paternal eye like a proud parent on graduation day.
There was no mistaking the quiet smile of satisfaction, though, at another job well done.
In the space of a year Robinson has turned a side who had forgotten how to win limited-overs games – especially those played over 20 overs – into the best one-day team in the country.
Finalists in the Friends Provident Trophy last month and holders of the Pro40 League title, Saturday’s Twenty20 triumph also means that in the four seasons since he succeeded Moores in 2006 Robinson has guided Sussex to a clean sweep of domestic trophies.
The role of the coach is often forgotten and Robinson certainly prefers that the achievements of the players are lauded first rather than what he has brought to such a successful and seemingly enduring mix.
But not only is he the most successful coach in English cricket at the moment he is also the best since the late Bob Woolmer was guiding Warwickshire to the Championship and three one-day trophies in 1993-94.
John Bracewell was in charge when Gloucestershire swept all before them in one-day cricket with seven trophies between 1999-2004 but the blue riband – the County Championship – eluded the New Zealander.
Being successful in both Championship and short formats at the same time is fiendishly difficult, especially for a county with limited resources, and Sussex’s one-day success has coincided with a downturn in their four-day form although the biggest single factor in that has surely been Mushtaq Ahmed’s retirement.
“I’m very proud of what I have achieved,” said Robinson as the celebrations continued raucously in the dressing room last Saturday before, typically, he spread the credit among the coaching staff who give him such unstinting support.
“It’s not ever about one person and I said the same when we had Chris Adams and Mushtaq Ahmed and Peter Moores said it when he was coach and I was working under him.
“It is about creating a spirit or an ethos in the dressing room and club itself. That is what we have had in place here for a long time with strong characters with great leadership skills.”
With a record like his other counties should be casting covetous eyes towards Hove and if Robinson’s home county of Yorkshire ever came calling it would be fascinating to see if he could resist the chance to make one of the traditional powerhouses of the county game strong again.
Not so long ago emerging county coaches would be given the opportunity to take one of the England teams abroad. Peter Moores got his first taste of international cricket with England A in West Indies a few years ago but those openings seem to have been closed off unless you are in the “Team England” set-up.
That is a shame because Robinson at least deserves the chance to see if he can make the step up although coaching Sussex in alien conditions in India in the Champions League will be a challenging experience.
At least skipper Mike Yardy is happy to sing Robinson’s praises even if he is reluctant to do so himself.
Yardy said: “Robbo doesn’t like to talk about his own achieve- ments but he is doing himself a disservice.
“There was a lot said and written about Peter Moores and Chris Adams and the fantastic job they did but he should be appreciated for what he’s done since then.
“It’s easy to forget how hard he works, how much he thinks about the game and how much he cares about the lads. That is why his achievements as a coach cannot be underestimated.”
For such a self-effacing person, hearing his captain speak in such glowing terms must make it all worthwhile.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here