Remembering Arnold Long | 1940-2026

Sussex Cricket was saddened to hear of the death of Arnold Long, on New Years Day, at the age of 85.

Arnold “Ob” Long joined Sussex, after 15 years as the Surrey first choice wicketkeeper, in 1976 and succeeded Tony Greig as our captain in 1978. Tributes paid to Arnold this week, by playing colleagues including John Barclay, Roger Marshall, Paul Phillipson and Chris Waller, reflect the very high regard in which he was held by those who played with him. 

He was much respected not only as a “fine man” and a very high quality wicketkeeper but also as a shrewd captain whose “tactical brilliance” ensured that Sussex emerged victorious in the 1978 Gillette Cup Final against the much vaunted Somerset team which included Ian Botham and Viv Richards. 

After retiring from cricket in 1980, Long had a successful business career and returned to the Oval as a much respected Chair of the Cricket Committee. 

The thoughts of all of us at Sussex Cricket are with Arnold’s family and with his friends across the game.