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Sussex Cricket and James Kirtley mutually agree to part ways

20 Oct 2026

Sussex Cricket can confirm that Bowling Coach, James Kirtley, will be leaving the club at the end of October.

A Sussex Cricket legend, following a 16-year playing career at the club which saw three County Championship titles and three limited-overs titles, Kirtley took up his full-time role as Bowling Coach in November 2019, following a two-year consultancy role at The County Ground.

His time as Bowling Coach at Hove has been hugely successful, playing a key role in Sussex’s 2024 Rothesay County Championship Division Two title win, subsequently consolidating the club in the top half of Division One in consecutive seasons, as well as helping the club qualify for two T20 finals days.

Further on from the success Kirtley shared with the rest of the coaching staff, the Eastbourne-born coach has also had a huge influence in the development of bowling talent at the club, perhaps none more so than with Ollie Robinson, who made his Test debut for England 19 months after Kirtley’s full-time coaching role began at Sussex.

Sussex Cricket has reached a mutual agreement with James Kirtley as part of a restructure of the coaching staff at The County Ground. Incoming Sussex Head Coach, Matt Walker, will lead efforts to recruit a new Lead Bowling Coach over the winter.

Sussex Cricket Head Coach, Paul Farbrace: “James has been a fantastic servant to Sussex Cricket as a player and more recently a coach. James was Head Coach of the white ball teams with Ian Salisbury and then moved into Lead Bowling Coach and Assistant Coach over the last four years.

“His dedication to Sussex cricket has been immense and his hard work, high level of skill coupled with his knowledge has helped all our players at Sussex regardless of their age or experience.

“The best examples are Ollie Robinson’s initial development and now back into the England team, Henry Crocombe and Sean Hunt who have benefitted from James over recent years.

“James can be very proud of his achievements and has helped me and the rest of the coaching and support team at Sussex.

We all wish James and his family all the very best."

Sussex Cricket Chair, Ed Warner: “Everyone at Sussex Cricket would like to place on record our gratitude for James’ dedication and commitment to the club since making his debut back in 1995.

“James’ achievements, both as a player and as a coach, will mean he rightly goes down as a legendary figure of the club, and he will always be warmly welcomed back to The County Ground. We’d like to extend James and his family our very best wishes for what comes next.”

Sussex Cricket Lead Bowling Coach, James Kirtley: "I leave Sussex CCC with a heavy heart, but also with my head held high. When I returned to Sussex as a coach more than 10 years ago, I wanted to make a positive difference. The only way I knew how to do that was to roll up my sleeves and give everything I had. That journey took me from the pathway all the way through to the Men’s 1st Team, and I take real comfort in knowing the team is in a stronger place — and that, alongside many others, I played a part in helping to make that happen.

"To see Sussex at the top of the Championship, to be part of Finals Day, and to help develop one of the best bowling units in the country has been a source of enormous pride. Watching our bowlers win games for Sussex, earn recognition with England at every level, win World Cups and contribute to Test-match victories has been hugely satisfying.

"I would like to thank everyone across every part of the Club who has supported me, both on and off the pitch. As an extremely nervous 16-year-old arriving in 1991, I could never have imagined that I would one day look back on an incredible 35 years connected with Sussex. I know I have given the Club everything I could — at times to the detriment of other parts of my life — and I leave knowing there was nothing more I could have done.

"I am also deeply grateful to the coaches I have worked alongside. Each of you has helped make me a better coach and a better person. The journey has brought highs and lows, intense moments, and plenty of fun and joy along the way.

"Lastly, to the players: thank you for giving me a real purpose every day. The biggest compliment I can give you is that it never felt like work. Seeing so many of you grow and develop has been incredibly rewarding. To the core group who were thrust into the deep end half a dozen years ago, you may well have had your doubts and perhaps thought we were mad — but I thank you for your commitment, your belief, and for trusting the process. You have earned the respect of your peers, and Sussex now sits proudly towards the top of English domestic cricket. I wish you all the very best, both as a team and as individuals."

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