Paul Farbrace has committed his long-term future to Sussex Cricket after agreeing to become the Club's Director of Cricket from 1 November 2026.

Earlier this season, Farbrace announced he would step down as Head Coach at the end of the 2026 campaign. Under the new agreement, he will instead move into a revised part-time Director of Cricket role, providing important continuity across the Club's cricket operation while enabling Sussex to appoint a new men's first-team Head Coach.

Ed Warner, Chair of Sussex Cricket, said:

"If Sussex Cricket is going to achieve what we all want, we need outstanding people leading every part of the Club. Keeping Paul was one of my first priorities because he is exactly that.

"He has enormous experience, commands huge respect throughout the game and, above all, cares deeply about this Club. Strong organisations are built around strong people and I'm delighted Paul will continue playing such an important role as we build the next chapter of Sussex Cricket together."

Paul Farbrace said:

"When I announced earlier this season that I would be stepping down as Head Coach, I genuinely believed it was the right decision, and I still do.

"What has changed is the opportunity to continue helping Sussex Cricket in a different role. I wasn't ready to say goodbye to this group of players or to everything we've worked so hard to build together. This role allows me to continue supporting the players and staff across the Club as we work towards the goals we all want to achieve.

"I'm genuinely excited and uplifted by Ed's vision, his clarity and his passion for Sussex Cricket. We're very fortunate to have someone with his wealth of knowledge and experience leading this Club and that has given me real confidence about where we're heading.

"The supporters have been brilliant to me from the day I arrived and we all want to repay them for the incredible backing they've given us. I'm looking forward to continuing to play my part as we write the Club's next chapter."

Farbrace joined Sussex in December 2022 and has overseen a period of significant progress, including promotion to Division One of the County Championship in 2024, a fourth-place finish in the Club's first season back in the top flight and a T20 Finals Day appearance.

Mark West, Interim Chief Executive Officer of Sussex Cricket, said:

"Paul has been a tremendous support throughout one of the most challenging periods in the Club's recent history and his commitment has never wavered. Retaining someone of his experience, integrity and character gives us invaluable continuity as we continue building a strong and sustainable future for Sussex Cricket. I'm delighted he'll continue to play such an important role in the Club's next chapter."

Farbrace will continue as Head Coach for the remainder of the 2026 season before taking up his revised Director of Cricket role from 1 November. Recruitment for the Club's new men's first-team Head Coach is well advanced, with a further announcement to be made in due course.

The start time for Sussex Sharks' hosting of Hampshire Hawks on Sunday, 12 July in the Vitality Blast has been confirmed for 2.30pm.

With the time of commencement still yet to be confirmed due to the potential of the match being picked up by Sky Sports, it has now been decided that this latest El Clasicoast - and the final match of the group stage - will take place on Sunday afternoon.

With three games still to play, the Hawks are clear in front of the Vitality Blast South Group, eight points ahead of second-placed Surrey.

The Sharks will travel to Kia Oval on Wednesday to face Surrey before travelling to Merchant Taylors' School as visitors to Middlesex ahead of ending the Blast campaign at home to the Hawks.

Tickets for Sunday's fixture can be purchased here.

Sussex Cricket can confirm that Fynn Hudson-Prentice will be leaving Sussex to join Hampshire at the end of the season.

Having graduated from the club’s academy - after starting at the age of 10 - Hudson-Prentice signed his first professional contract with the club in 2014 and would make his List A debut (and Sussex debut) that same year.

After a two-year spell with Derbyshire, the all-rounder would then return to his boyhood club for the start of the 2022 season, with Hudson-Prentice going on to establish himself as a vital component in Head Coach, Paul Farbrace’s team.

The 157th Sussex cricketer to receive his County Cap - presented by James Kirtley in 2023 - the now 30-year old signed a new contract with the club that would see him remain at Sussex until the end of this season.

On Fynn’s move, Farbrace said: “We are all disappointed to lose Fynn from Sussex at the end of this current season, but he goes with our best wishes, our thanks for all of his hard work, dedication and professionalism he has shown Sussex cricket on and off the field. I have thoroughly enjoyed working with Fynn over these last four years; he has been as dependable on the pitch as he has been professional off of the pitch. 

It is so sad that through our financial situation that Fynn has had to accept this offer from another club, and move on, but I completely support him in his decision and think he has made the right move for him at this stage of his career. Something we as a club could not guarantee him in our current situation. I fully expect the members and supporters of Sussex cricket to be disappointed with this news, but equally I know they will not hold this against Fynn, and he will always be welcomed back to Hove and treated with respect.

With plenty of cricket to play this season, I know Fynn will continue to give his all to the club and will always be a proud to have played for Sussex County Cricket Club.”

On departing Sussex, Fynn said: “I’d like to thank the coaches, staff, players, members, and supporters at Sussex for everything during my time at the club.

Returning to the club in 2021 was a big decision, but it’s been an incredible journey. Representing my boyhood club once again has been a real privilege, and I’ve loved every moment of being part of this team.

We’ve shared some tough times along the way, but it’s been amazing to see how far this group has come. I’m proud to have played a part in that journey.

This wasn’t an easy decision, but I leave with memories and friendships that will stay with me for the rest of my life. Hove will always hold a special place in my heart, and I’ll always be following Sussex, wishing everyone at the club nothing but success for the future.”

We wish Fynn all the very best in his future career following his departure at the end of the current campaign.

Sussex Sharks Women head to Radlett on Sunday (5 July) for their final Vitality T20 Blast match of the 2026 season.

Alexia Walker's side will be looking to end the campaign with back-to-back wins following a thrilling victory against Northamptonshire Steelbacks at Hove yesterday.

The Sharks were set a target of 133 to win, having restricted the Steelbacks to 132/8. Darcey Clarke was the pick of the Sussex bowlers, taking 3-12. In reply, Izzy Collis, along with Mollie Adams and Shristi Patil got Sussex off to a strong start, before Bella Johnson and Phoebe Wilkinson helped the Sharks get over the line for their second victory of the campaign.

Speaking after the game, Alexia Walker said, "The last two games we played at Hove were nail biters and we were on the wrong side of the result, so for the girls to hold their nerve to get over the line today was really pleasing."

Team News

Just one change is made to the 13-player squad that was named for Friday's clash against Northants, as Rebecca Denman comes in to replace Sophie Beck.

Squad: Adams (wk), Clarke, Collis, Denman, Docherty, Green (c), Johnson, Lee, Mullins, O'Neill, Patil, Stanley, Wilkinson.

The Opposition

Middlesex currently occupy third place in the table and look well set to be heading to next Sunday's Finals Day. They will have a better understanding of what they need to do to qualify by the start of play tomorrow, with Northants, Gloucestershire and Worcestershire all starting at an earlier time of 11.30am. 

They have, however, suffered back-to-back defeats in the competition against Worcestershire Rapids and Glamorgan and will need to re-find the form that got them into the qualifying positions.

One key player that they will be looking to lean on for that is Saskia Horley, who is the competition's leading run scorer with 314 runs in 7 matches. 111 of those runs came in one single knock, from just 56 balls, against Gloucestershire.

How to Watch

You can watch every ball, free of charge, via our Match Centre. You will need to register for a free account to access the stream, statistics, replays and live scorecard. 

The game gets underway at 2.30pm. 

ECB Reporters Network supported by Rothesay

Skipper Simon Harmer had a night to remember as Essex Eagles boosted their hopes of progress in the Vitality Blast with a 100-runs thrashing of Sussex Sharks at Hove.

Harmer plundered 31 off the final over bowled by Henry Crocombe, who announced on Wednesday that he is joining Surrey at the end of the season, to help swell Essex's total to 204 for 6.

Simon Cook picked up three wickets in the powerplay on his way to an impressive return of 4 for 7 as Sussex slumped to 34 for 5 before Harmer finished with two for 16 in four overs of accurate left-arm spin and ran out Danny Briggs by deflecting a straight drive from Tom Alsop onto the non-striker’s stumps.

Sussex were bowled out for 104 in 17.3 overs and have now failed to bat their 20 overs in six of their nine games this season.

At the end of the 17th over Sussex would have been happy to have contained Essex to 141 for 5 on a two-paced pitch. But Crocombe conceded 15 off the 18th and skipper Tymal Mills went for 17 in the 19th as Harmer and Shane Snater upped the ante by hitting 41 off the last nine balls.

After Crocombe bowled a wide at the start of the fateful final over Harmer went 6-4-4-6-6-4, swinging him over the short leg-side boundary for all three sixes.

It was the second-highest expensive over by a Sussex bowler in Blast history – only Michael Yardy (34) has conceded more.

Before Harmer’s onslaught Sussex had done a good containing job, although several Essex batters got out when they seemed well set.

Michael Pepper helped Charlie Allison add 54 after the early loss of Paul Walter, contributing 47 from 29 balls before he sliced Briggs to backward point.

Allison made 20 but was dropped twice and Luc Benkenstein hit 26 but Harmer and Shane Snater’s onslaught left Sussex utterly deflated and their chances of winning had evaporated at the end of the third over when they were 19 for 3.

Cook picked up both openers Harrison Ward and Dan Hughes to catches on the leg-side boundary in his first over then George Thomas was superbly held by Benkenstein trying to clear the wide long-on boundary.

Cook and Snater bowled nine dot balls in a row after the fall of the third wicket to turn the screw and Cook had his third wicket when John Simpson was caught in the covers. 

Seamer Mackenzie Jones, making his first appearance of the season, removed Oli Carter and Jack Carson.

Harmer was on a hat-trick after he took a fine running catch off his own bowling to remove Alsop, who top scored with 35 for a Sussex team who have now lost seven of their nine games.

Sussex duo James Coles and Jofra Archer have been selected in the England Men's squad for the upcoming Metro Bank ODI series against India.

It is a maiden call up to the ODI squad for Coles, who is currently part of the T20 squad for the first time, too.

He and Archer will remain with the England squad at the end of the T20 series, with the ODI series starting just three days later at Edgbaston on Tuesday 14 July.

Congratulations, both!

Full ECB Press Release:

England Men’s squad named for Metro Bank ODI series

England Men selectors have named a 16-player squad for this month’s Metro Bank ODI Series against India.

Uncapped Sussex all-rounder James Coles is included in a squad that also includes Josh Tongue, who is yet to make his ODI debut. Fellow quicks Gus Atkinson and Saqib Mahmood return to the squad.
The three-match series begins at Edgbaston on Tuesday 14 July before matches at Sophia Gardens and Lord’s.

England Men 16-player ODI squad v India:
Harry Brook (Yorkshire - Captain)
Rehan Ahmed (Leicestershire)
Jofra Archer (Sussex)
Gus Atkinson (Surrey)
Tom Banton (Somerset)
Jacob Bethell (Warwickshire)
Jos Buttler (Lancashire)
James Coles (Sussex)
Sam Curran (Surrey)
Liam Dawson (Hampshire)
Ben Duckett (Nottinghamshire)
Will Jacks (Surrey)
Saqib Mahmood (Lancashire)
Adil Rashid (Yorkshire)
Joe Root (Yorkshire)
Josh Tongue (Nottinghamshire)

England Men’s Metro Bank ODI series v India Schedule:
1st Metro Bank ODI: Tuesday 14 July, Edgbaston, Birmingham. 11am start
2nd Metro Bank ODI: Thursday 16 July, Sophia Gardens, Cardiff. 1pm start
3rd Metro Bank ODI: Sunday 19 July, Lord’s, London. 11am start
 

Sussex Cricket is pleased to announce the appointment of Ed Warner as Chair of Sussex Cricket Limited, following formal ratification by the Board.

Ed's appointment follows a comprehensive recruitment process led by a specialist sports executive search firm. He brings an exceptional combination of business leadership, strategic judgement and experience at the highest levels of sport, which the Board believes makes him ideally placed to lead Sussex Cricket into its next phase.

Ed brings more than two decades of leadership experience across business and sport. He spent ten years as Chair of UK Athletics, leading the organisation through the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games and the 2017 World Athletics and World Para Athletics Championships in London. He also leads GB Wheelchair Rugby and previously chaired the Palace for Life Foundation, the charitable arm of Crystal Palace Football Club.

Alongside his sporting leadership, Ed has enjoyed a distinguished business career, including serving as the first independent Chair of Grant Thornton UK LLP. He is also Chair of two FTSE 250 investment companies.

A Sussex resident since 1999, Ed succeeds Sir Rod Aldridge, President of Sussex Cricket, who has served as Interim Chair since February of this year.

Sir Rod Aldridge, President of Sussex Cricket, said: "Following a thorough and highly competitive recruitment process, we are delighted to appoint Ed as Chair of Sussex Cricket.
 

"Ed emerged as the outstanding candidate. He combines exceptional business leadership with a proven track record in sports governance and has successfully led complex organisations through periods of change. Just as importantly, he shares our belief in Sussex Cricket's future and our ambition to build a stronger, more sustainable Club.

"The Board is confident we have appointed the right person. Ed will bring leadership, integrity, commercial experience and a genuine passion for helping Sussex Cricket realise its full potential."

Ed Warner said: "It is a privilege to be appointed Chair of Sussex Cricket at such an important moment for the Club. I recognise there are challenges ahead, but I also see a tremendous opportunity to build on Sussex's many strengths and help shape a successful future.

"Having lived in Sussex for many years, I've admired the Club from close quarters and have long believed it has the foundations to achieve even more. The opportunity to work with so many passionate people across the Club and the wider game is what attracted me to this role.

"I want to be an advocate for Sussex Cricket and a strong voice for the Club within the game. My role is to help create the environment in which our players, staff and volunteers can succeed, our members and fans can feel proud of the Club they support, and where we continue building a successful and financially sustainable future together."

Ed was awarded an OBE in 2012 for services to British athletics. He will formally begin his tenure by meeting staff, players and members at Hove on Friday ahead of the Club's men's and women's Vitality Blast fixtures.

Sussex arrived at Harlow knowing they were stepping into one of the tougher away assignments in the D40 Quest calendar. Essex have made strong use of home advantage there in recent seasons, and with Sussex travelling without several first-team regulars, this was a day that demanded adaptability as much as quality. 

The message was clear before a ball was bowled: those in the side would need to stand up and be counted if Sussex were to leave with the points.

On a pitch that looked flat at first glance, Owen Piper lost the toss and Essex had no hesitation in batting first. Early on, Sussex were below their usual standards. The opening exchanges lacked sharpness and energy, and neither Alfie Pyle nor Dan Gee quite found the execution they were after with the new ball. Essex capitalised quickly, racing to 58 without loss from just seven overs, aided in no small part by 19 extras. From a Sussex perspective it was an untidy start, and with Ronny Jackson looking particularly ominous at the crease, the game threatened to run away before the visitors had settled.

Piper needed a response and turned to Jake Vosloo in an attempt to wrestle the momentum back. What followed was the defining spell of the match. Vosloo delivered a superb eight-over burst, returning figures of 5–29 and dragging Sussex back into the contest almost single-handedly. Where Essex had been cruising at 72–0, they were soon reduced to 110–5, their early freedom replaced by uncertainty and caution. Vosloo mixed control with deception, asking difficult questions of the Essex middle order and exploiting the first signs that the surface was beginning to offer a little more than it had initially suggested.

The standout wicket in that spell was the key scalp of Jackson. Having looked dangerous and well set, he was undone by a well-disguised googly from Vosloo that beat the outside edge, with Aston Stuart completing the dismissal with sharp work behind the stumps. It was a moment that shifted the tone of the innings and reminded Sussex of the standards they are capable of producing when energy and discipline align.

Vosloo was well supported by James Bunday at the other end, whose eight overs for 36 provided exactly the kind of control Sussex needed. While Vosloo supplied the breakthroughs, Bunday built the pressure that allowed them to come. Together, the pair transformed what had looked like a daunting start into a position from which Sussex might even restrict Essex to a below-par total.

Yet just when it seemed Sussex had taken complete control, some of the issues from the opening overs resurfaced. Ground fielding slipped, chances to squeeze the scoring were missed, and the bowling lost some of the discipline that had defined the middle phase. Essex recovered to 160–7, and with the pitch beginning to show signs of variable pace, Sussex knew that anything around 180 might still prove awkward in a chase. Dan Gee returned for his second spell and this time produced a much sharper effort, claiming three wickets to finish the innings and bowl Essex out for 177. It was a useful recovery with the ball after an uneven performance overall, though Sussex were well aware they had left runs in the field.

The reply began positively. Gee and Elliot Brown gave Sussex a solid platform, moving to 30 without loss and settling any early nerves. Brown was then adjudged lbw for 15, a decision that did not appear to please the Sussex camp, but the visitors responded well. Bunday continued the strong form he has shown all season, playing with intent and striking some fine blows over the top to ensure the momentum of the innings was not lost. His dismissal for 27, also lbw, brought more frustration, but Sussex again refused to allow the setback to derail them.

With Bunday gone, Pyle joined the ever-reliable Gee, and the pair took firm control of the chase. If Sussex had been poor in the field, they were increasingly authoritative with the bat. Gee played with fluency and composure, threading the innings together beautifully, while Pyle brought the aggression, particularly through a series of towering slog-sweeps that put Essex under serious pressure. The balance between the two was ideal: Gee calm and measured, Pyle forceful and disruptive.

Gee looked set for a deserved half-century before falling for 48 to a quality delivery, while Pyle’s enterprising innings ended on 64 when one sweep too many looped to third man. Even then, Sussex remained firmly in charge, needing only 20 more with five wickets in hand. There was a brief wobble as a couple more wickets fell, but the outcome never truly looked in doubt. Fittingly, it was captain Piper who settled matters in emphatic fashion, launching a huge straight six to seal a five-wicket win with nine overs to spare.

In the end, it was a comfortable victory, even if the route to it was not flawless. Sussex were not at their best for long spells, particularly in the field, where extras, loose bowling and untidy groundwork kept Essex in the game longer than they might have been. But the quality shown by Vosloo’s decisive spell and the control of the chase from Gee and Pyle underlined the strength within this side. Good teams win when they are at their best; strong teams also find a way when parts of their game are below par. Sussex did exactly that here.

The result lifts Sussex into second place in the table, just two points behind Hampshire with two matches remaining. The return fixture against Essex at Eastbourne now looms large on 12th, and another strong performance will be needed if Sussex are to keep their title charge alive. This was not a perfect display, but it may yet prove an important one. Winning away from home without hitting top gear is often the mark of a side with genuine ambitions.

Match report courtesy of Elliot Brown (Vice-Captain)

Sussex Sharks' final Vitality T20 Blast double header takes place tomorrow, with the Women taking on Northamptonshire Steelbacks at 3pm, before the Men face Essex at 7pm.

Paul Farbrace's side have faced a difficult start to the second block of T20 fixtures, with their clashes against Surrey and Warwickshire Bears both ending in defeat. 

The two defeats haved tarnished the Sharks' chances of qualifying for the knockout stages of the competition. They currently sit 5th in the South Group, 10 points off third spot with just four matches to play.

Alexia Walker's side suffered similar misfortune last time out, as they were beaten at New Road by Worcestershire Rapids. Their hopes of qualifying for the semi-finals coming to an end, as a result.

Team News

Paul Farbrace has made one change to the 15-player squad that travelled to Edgbaston, as seamer Ollie Robinson is replaced by Dom Goodman. Robinson misses out having sustained a back injury which also prevented him from playing in the encounter with Warwickshire Bears.

Men's Squad: Alsop, Briggs, Carson, Carter, Crocombe, Goodman, Hughes, Hunt, Leaning, Mills (c), Price, Simpson (wk), Tear, Thomas, Ward.

Alexia Walker has named a 13-player squad for tomorrow's clash with Northamptonshire Steelbacks.

Women's Squad: Adams (wk), Beck, Clarke, Collis, Docherty, Green (c), Johnson, Lee, Mullins, O'Neill, Patil, Stanley, Wilkinson.

The Opposition | Northamptonshire Steelbacks Women

The Steelbacks are firmly in the hunt of qualifying for a place in the last four. They have won three and lost three of their six games and have accumulated 14 points in the process. They are currently in 5th place and have played a game fewer than both Kent and Worcestershire Rapids who are 3rd and 4th respectively. 

A win tomorrow for the Steelbacks would take them into the top four, as Worcestershire Rapids don't play.

The last time these two sides met was in the Metro Bank One Day Cup, when the Sharks put in arguably their best performance of the season to win by 76 runs away from home. Phoebe Wilkinson scoring a fantastic 88 on that occasion.

The Opposition | Essex Men

Essex, who currently occupy 4th place in the South Group, will have their sights set on finishing in the top two of the group, despite defeat against Surrey in a high-scoring clash last time out.

They are just four points off second placed Surrey, who beat them by just seven runs on Wednesday night. But, with four games to go, it could all change. They travel to The Kia Oval for the final group stage match in what could prove to be an exciting finish.

Paul Walter is the man to look out for with the bat, having scored 265 so far in the competition, including an incredible 78 from just 30 balls against Surrey on Wednesday.

How to Watch

You can watch every ball, free of charge, via our Match Centre (on our website). You will need to register for a free account to access the stream, statistics, replays and live scorecard. 

The women's match gets underway at 3pm, with the men's match commencing in the evening, at 7pm. 

Tickets

Tickets for this Friday's Double-header can be purchased here.