Sharks face Surrey in opener as revised Vitality Blast fixtures announced

Sussex Sharks will get their 2020 Vitality Blast campaign underway on Friday 28 August when Surrey visit The 1st Central County Ground.

The match against Surrey kick-starts a hectic few weeks for Luke Wright’s side, with the Sharks playing 10 matches in 24 days.

As well as hosting Hampshire for El Clasicoast on Sunday 30 August, Kent Spitfires, Essex Eagles and Middlesex will all visit Hove.

There are also return trips to every team in the South Group to look forward to, before the competition’s quarter-finals are played on Thursday 1 October and Finals Day takes place on Saturday 3 October.

While Sussex Cricket have already refunded supporters who have purchased individual match tickets for the 2020 Vitality Blast, the club would like to thank our Members and Blast Pass holders for their continued patience and understanding.

Both Members and Blast Pass holders will receive a further update regarding their purchase before the start of this year’s Vitality Blast.

Following the announcement of this year’s Vitality Blast fixtures, ECB Chief Executive Officer, Tom Harrison, said: “The fact we’ve been able to get so much domestic cricket played this summer owes to the collaborative efforts of the county network and their willingness to find a way to get the game on in the safest way possible for all involved.

“There will be many more challenges ahead, but the unity and spirit shown during this summer has been a tribute to the county network as we work together to grow our sport.”

The Vitality Blast has been regionalised into the same three groups used in the Bob Willis Trophy with each county set to play 10 group-stage matches behind closed doors. The quarter-finals will all be played on Thursday 1 October.

BBC Radio will cover every match of the Vitality Blast while all 18 First-Class Counties have been scheduled to play in front of the Sky cameras during the group stage.

Vitality Blast matches that are not televised by Sky may be available via the First-Class Counties' live streaming services across their digital channels.

Emerald Headingley (North Group), Edgbaston (Central Group) and the Kia Oval (South Group) will host eight of the 10 Sky televised group-stage matches, which will include neutral double-headers at each of those venues.

The Ageas Bowl and Emirates Old Trafford, which have hosted men’s England internationals this summer, will also stage televised derby matches. One quarter-final and Finals Day will also be televised by Sky.

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