Sussex go into the final day of their County Championship fixture against Worcestershire with their noses in front after dismissing New Zealand stalwart Henry Nicholls and number four batter Kashif Ali late in the evening session.

An 81-run second-wicket stand from Nicholls and opening batter Jake Libby had steered the visitors into a decent position before Nicholls’ mistimed pull shot found the gloves of wicketkeeper John Simpson and gave Sussex debutant James Hayes his maiden first-class wicket.

England’s Ollie Robinson snagged the day’s final wicket in the penultimate over, extracting a thick edge from Ali, which fell to the grateful hands of James Coles at third slip.

Three down for 117-3 Worcestershire require a further 244 runs to win after twin fifties from Tom Alsop and Coles, and some tail-end bashing helped the hosts to a second innings lead of 360.

Any chance of a Worcestershire victory likely rests with Libby, who remains unbeaten on 64 (105 balls), accompanied by nightwatchman Ben Allison on three (6). Libby kept a steady head while wickets fell around him and cashed in on some loose Hayes deliveries to pass fifty with a thrashing cut shot.

Ari Karvelas took Sussex’s only wicket of the Worcestershire innings, bowling Gareth Roderick for four with a dipping yorker that snuck beneath the opener’s bat. 

The home side secured its dominant position in the morning session with a sturdy batting performance from Alsop and Coles. Both began the day in the twenties and took advantage of some loose deliveries from Worcestershire’s fast bowlers, striking 21 boundaries between them as the Sussex lead sailed past 250.

All-rounder Coles was particularly strong through the leg side, passing fifty with a forceful clip for four off Ben Gibbon in the 39th over. Alsop was equally convincing and reached his half-century one over later against the same bowler.

Their 125-run partnership took Sussex from a potentially dangerous situation to a likely insurmountable lead before both were dismissed lbw before the lunch break. Coles fell for a 132-ball 68, shouldering arms to an inswinger from Ben Waite before his batting partner played back to a sharp-spinning Fateh Singh delivery for 72 (136).

Their dismissals led to something of a mini-collapse for Sussex, who lost four wickets for 45 runs around the lunch break as captain Simpson 13 (45) and Hudson-Prentice were both caught behind off the bowling of Allison, for took 3-52 in the innings.

Despite the flurry of wickets, Sussex at 188-seven had extended its lead past 300 and now looked in the mood to attack as first-innings centurion Jack Carson combined with Robinson for a fiery rearguard stand of 47. 

Both targeted left-arm spinner Singh, who the former hit for consecutive fours in the 66th over, and the latter crashed for a long, straight six in the 72nd.

The fun came to an end soon after when both batters sprinted to the same end after a single and Robinson was run out for a feisty 30 (31). Singh, who finished with admirable figures of 3-58 from his 17.4 overs, took the final two Sussex wickets in quick succession as Sussex were dismissed for 256. He first bowled Karvelas for a single before last man Hayes edged a turning delivery to second slip.

Fynn Hudson-Prentice picked up a career-best five for 40 with his medium pace as Sussex took control of their Rothesay County Championship match against Worcestershire on the second afternoon.

After bowling Worcestershire out for 180, Sussex then stretched their overall lead to 170 by reaching 66 for three in their second innings by stumps, with Tom Alsop and James Coles confidently seeing out the day on 24 and 27 not out respectively. 

There was a scare for Sussex at the start of their second innings when they lost left-handed openers Tom Haines and Daniel Hughes, both for nought and without a run on the board.

Haines was bowled through an attempted drive by Tom Taylor, coming from around the wicket, and Hughes lost his off stump shouldering arms to one from Ben Allison – again bowled from an around the wicket angle, but which also nipped further in off the seam.

And Sussex were 18 for three when Taylor, following up his first innings five for 56, pinned Tom Clark leg-before for 10 with one that kept a little low. Alsop and Coles, however, calmed Sussex nerves in an unbroken stand of 48.

Hudson-Prentice first dismissed opener Jake Libby for 13 as Worcestershire struggled to make much headway against Sussex’s seam attack before lunch, and then took three wickets in three overs during a mid-afternoon spell that contributed significantly to Division One’s bottom team slumping to 111 for eight in reply to the home side’s first innings 284.

Worcestershire’s ninth wicket pair of Brett D’Oliveira and Taylor then added a defiant 51, playing some excellent shots amid a largely defensive rearguard action, but D’Oliveira edged the second ball after tea to a diving Coles at second slip to go for 30.

That was a second wicket for Clark, who finished with two for 29 and bowled his own medium pacers with good control in support of Hudson-Prentice, Ollie Robinson (two for 31) and Ari Karvelas.

Karvelas claimed only one scalp, Gareth Roderick edging to first slip on 21 mid-way through the morning session, but he also bowled a challenging line and length throughout an excellent afternoon spell on a well-grassed pitch that was always giving the seamers encouragement.

Robinson had quickly removed nightwatchman Ben Gibbon, caught behind for four, after Worcestershire resumed on seven without loss and they would have been more than three down at lunch if Kashif Ali had not been dropped at first slip from the second ball he faced.

Kashif, however, edged a push-drive at Robinson to keeper John Simpson on 13 soon after lunch, beginning a slide in which five wickets fell for 37 runs in 15 overs.

Henry Nicholls, who battled two hours for his 32, was the first victim in Hudson-Prentice’s mid-afternoon treble, undone by movement off the seam as he played defensively forward, and Ethan Brookes departed for 20 four overs later, again edging a Hudson-Prentice leg-cutter to Simpson.

Three balls later Matthew Waite was also back in the pavilion, pushing half-forward at Hudson-Prentice and nicking yet another catch to Simpson.

Like Waite, the left-handed Fateh Singh fell for nought as James Hayes – the 23-year old seamer on loan from Nottinghamshire – flew to his right at mid wicket to pull off a superb catch goalkeeper-style as Singh clipped Clark firmly off his pads.

The D’Oliveira-Taylor partnership at least gave Worcestershire some hope of staying in the contest but, after D’Oliveira’s dismissal, only another 18 runs were added before Hudson-Prentice ended Taylor’s brave 32 courtesy of Simpson’s sixth catch of the innings.

Glamorgan Women vs Sussex Sharks Women: Match Preview

Sussex Sharks Women's progression into the second round of the T20 Women's County Cup after beating Buckinghamshire earned them a trip to Sophia Gardens, with Alexia Walker's side just one game away from potentially hosting Tier One opposition.

The Opposition 

Sussex are no strangers to Glamorgan having played them at the same venue on the opening day of the season in the Metro Bank One Day Cup. On that day little under a month ago, Glamorgan came out on top with a 53-run victory - Bethan Gammon leading the charge with an impressive score of 72.

Glamorgan Women have since played two further matches in the One Day Cup, cruising to a 227-run win over Gloucestershire after narrow defeat to Middlesex. In the previous round of the T20 Women's County Cup, Glamorgan again played Gloucestershire, and again were on the winning side by a narrower margin of 33 runs.

Squad

Mollie Adams (wk), Anna Buckle, Izzy Collis, Lottie Curling, Chiara Green (c), Tia Joseph, Anna Lewis, Eve O'Neill, Talitha Stanley, Lucy Western, Jazz Westley, Phoebe Wilkinson

Ticket Information 

Entry to this match is free of charge, however free tickets need to be acquired from the Sophia Gardens Ticketing App.

How to Watch

The match can be live-streamed for free on Glamorgan's YouTube channel. 

The action gets underway today at midday.

Next Match

Alexia Walker's side are next back in action this coming Thursday, on 15 May as Kent Women make the short journey across to Hove in the Women’s One Day Cup.

If you're a Sussex Member, this game is included in your membership! If you're looking to purchase tickets, however, then the link can be found here. Tickets start from £5.

A maiden first-class century from off-spinner Jack Carson helped Sussex recover from 88 for six to 284 all out on the opening day against Worcestershire at Hove.  

Arriving at the crease with his side floundering, Carson looked to shepherd the tail and punish anything loose, striking 11 forceful fours and a one whipped leg-side six in his highest first-class score of 102.

When it looked as if he might run out of partners, Carson was joined by last man and debutant James Hayes, who stuck around for 126 balls as the home side edged past 250. With a first bonus batting point secured, Carson let loose and brought up his century in style, dispatching seam-bowler Ben Allison to the leg-side boundary with a powerful pull shot in the 86th over.

Carson finally fell five overs later, and Worcestershire opener Jake Libby and nightwatchman Ben Gibbon, batted out the remaining three overs without alarm to finish on 7-0.

Sussex found themselves in need of a hero after a potent five-wicket haul from Pears’ paceman Tom Taylor put the visitors in the driving seat. The right-arm bowler took five wickets for 56 runs as the home side lost six wickets for just eight runs in the early afternoon.

In a blistering mid-morning spell, the talismanic Taylor found the edges of opener Daniel Hughes and middle-order batter Tom Alsop, who were caught by third slip Henry Nicholls and wicketkeeper Gareth Roderick respectively. He then trapped Tom Clarke lbw with a searing inswinger, to which Clarke shouldered arms. Youngster James Coles also fell in the morning, driving a wide Ben Allison delivery to the grateful hands of Ethan Brookes at fourth slip from the final ball of the session.

Taylor was equally dangerous after the lunch break, bowling Sussex skipper John Simpson after Tom Haines edged a rising delivery to sub fielder Rob Jones, who took a smart rebound catch at second slip.

Opener Haines was the only top-order Sussex batter to offer any meaningful resistance, carving 12 boundaries in a graceful 89-ball 53 before Carson began his counter-offensive.

The remainder of Worcestershire’s fast bowling troop was eager to get in on the act in the afternoon session. Left-armer Gibbon had all-rounder Fynn Hudson-Prentice caught behind for a 47-ball 22 before Ollie Robinson and Ari Karvelas fell to short deliveries from Brookes and Allison.

Seamer Matthew Waite took the visitors’ final wicket, dismissing Carson with a wide delivery which the centurion chopped onto his stumps.

Debutant Hayes was Sussex’s last man and batted valiantly in his unbeaten innings of 33. The 23-year-old has been signed on an emergency two-week loan from Nottinghamshire, after Jayden Seales withdrew from the squad due to injury.

In his one over before the close of play, Hayes bowled at a good pace and conceded one boundary. 

By ECB Reporters Network, supported by Rothesay  

For more information about Rothesay, please visit www.ecb.co.uk/about/who-we-are/our-partners/rothesay

Nottinghamshire seamer James Hayes has joined Sussex on a short-term loan, following news that Jayden Seales has been forced to withdraw from the squad due to injury.

Hayes is available to make his First-Class debut this weekend, in Sussex's clash against Worcestershire at Hove, and will also be available for the away trip to Somerset in a week's time. 

The 23-year-old, who has made three senior appearances in List A cricket for Notts, has been a regular fixture in matchday squads this summer.

He featured in the Green and Golds' pre-season friendlies against Loughborough UCCE and Oxford UCCE this spring, and has since appeared twice for Nottinghamshire's Second XI, claiming figures of 4/45 against Kent.
 

Sussex vs Worcestershire: Match Preview

Following a three-match unbeaten run to open their return to Division One of the County Championship, Sussex's strong start came unstuck up in Nottingham last time out as the hosts wrapped-up a convincing nine-wicket at Trent Bridge. But after a period of rest Sussex return to Hove where they are yet to taste defeat this campaign, with Worcestershire the visitors on this occasion.

Team News

Paul Farbrace is still without Danny Lamb and Sean Hunt, who sit out with their respective injuries. The rest of the squad is unchanged from our previous Rothersay County Championship clash with Nottinghamshire:

Alsop, Carson, Carter, Clark, Coles, Haines, Hudson-Prentice, Hughes, Karvelas, Moore, Robinson, Seales, Simpson* (wk)

The Opposition 

Worcestershire have found things a little tricky thus far who, after consolidating their Division One status last season with a sixth-placed finish, find themselves bottom of the pile after four matches. The only side in the division yet to record a win, they drew the opening game of the season at Somerset in dramatic style, but have since lost their last three. 

Captain Brett D'Oliveira leads his sides with the bat, scoring 253 runs at an average of 31.62, whilst with the ball Matthew Waite has claimed 12 scalps, one ahead of fellow seamers Jacob Duffy and Tom Taylor. 

Farbrace's Thoughts

The Head Coach was naturally frustrated with his side's performance at Trent Bridge, though was able to pick out a plentiful amount of positives. Speaking on the defeat, Farbrace said:

"We're obviously disappointed that we lost the game. We expect to play well and we expect to compete in every game, and this game has taught us a fair bit about us a team. We had a conversation in the changing room about the last month, and if you offered 51 points at this stage of the season after four games, I think we're pretty happy with that. But we're disappointed in the way we've lost the game."

"By and large, I'm actually quite pleased with where we're at. I never like losing, and I think we're a team that are very honest, we're learning together. I'm looking forward to every game we've got. I said at the start of the year this first month, where you've got two Test grounds to visit, and Surrey and Somerset the two big teams in the last five years in county cricket coming to Hove - what a brilliant opportunity."

"Worcester did brilliantly last season to stay in the division - they've been a bit of a yo-yo team over the last five years, but we know them having played against them in Division Two a couple of years ago. They're a good team, they've got a lot of good players, and yes, they might have had an indifferent start but so have a few other teams as well. We'll be treating that Worcester game as a chance to put into practice what we've learned from these first four games."

How to Watch

As always, you can watch every ball, free of charge, via our Match Day Centre. You will need to register for a free account to access the stream, statistics, replays and live scorecard. You can find information on how to register here.

The action gets underway tomorrow at 11am. 

Ticket Information 

Tickets are available to purchase online now for all four days. Sixes Social Cricket, the latest addition to Hove, will be open throughout the duration, too.

Going forward, buying your tickets online is the quickest and easiest way to secure your seat, save a bit of extra money and protect yourself if rains comes into play.

Question of Sport

Following the conclusion of Day One, why not come along to our Question of Sport, hosted by the one and only Adrian Harms!

See the likes of Ollie Robinson, Tymal Mills, Paul Farbrace and many more compete in teams against legends of Brighton & Hove Albion FC. 

No need to book online - simply arrive on the night! It'll be a 7pm start at the 1st Central County Ground.

Members Forum

The next Members Forum will take place on tomorrow (Friday, 9th May) at 9.30am in The Long Room.

Members will have the chance to hear from Pete Fitzboydon, Jon Filby and Paul Farbrace. Complimentary tea and coffee will be available. 

Matchday Dining

Tom Haines' fine start to the 2025 season has been recognised, with the Sussex batter winning the PCA Player of the Month award for April.

Haines has arguably been Sussex’s key batter this season, having scored 513 runs from four Rothesay County Championship games. Averaging 73.28, the 26-year-old is currently the leading run-scorer in Division One and has also got the most MVP points with 122.21.

Having picked up the most MVP points in April, the Sussex batter also captained the PCA’s Team of the Month which also featured his club captain John Simpson.

The left-handed opener has scored two centuries in the County Championship so far. His first came against Somerset where he scored 141 in the second innings, helping Sussex secure a 260-run victory at the 1st Central County Ground, Hove.

Haines’ second century was scored at the same venue against defending champions Surrey. He scored 174 in the first innings and an unbeaten 69 in the second to claim the Match MVP, picking up 67.66 points. 

After winning the April Player of the Month award, Haines said: “It feels good to win the PCA’s Player of the Month for April. It has been a great start to the season which makes me incredibly happy.

“I would say that the hundred against Somerset was more important because we won the game, whilst the Surrey match ended in a draw. But I am pleased with both of the hundreds and hopefully I can perform like that in the next few games.

“We want to put as many wins as we can on the board in this first block of seven games and see where we are. Keeping our bowlers fit would be a big aim for the team because we have not got the depth as some of the bigger teams in Division One. We can definitely be up there and challenging if we keep everyone fit because we have got a very good team.

“It’s a real positive to know I secured the public votes from the fans and hopefully I can keep putting some more big scores on the board.”

The Sussex Cricket Foundation and Webtrends Optimize presents DIScoverABILITY Weekend 2025

The Sussex Cricket Foundation is delighted to announce that DIScoverABILITY Day will return once again to the The 1st Central County Ground on Friday 16th May 2025 and will precede with the inaugural Disability T10 Cup on Sunday 18th May on the hallowed turf at Hove. 

Last year, another record-breaking DIScoverABILITY Day saw over 700 participants from over 30 organisations, as well as over 150 volunteers take to the field at The 1st Central County Ground for an action-packed day of batting, throwing, catching and bowling challenges, designed for all abilities and led by Sussex Cricket Foundation coaches.  

For the first time ever the spectacular disability sport event, one of the largest in the southeast, will be followed by the inaugural Disability T10 Cup on the Sunday. 

The day will consist of two semi-finals and two finals, a shield and cup. The first match will take place from 11:00 am, and with the draw to be announced week commencing Monday 12th May.  

Tom Belcher, Disability Cricket Manager for the Sussex Cricket Foundation is looking forward to an amazing weekend: “I am absolutely delighted to not only be able to announce DIScoverABILITY Day and Weekend is back again, but also to further announce and demonstrate how Sussex Cricket Foundation, continue to lead the way, breaking boundaries within disability cricket, by hosting the another first! 

"The Disability T10 Cup, here in Sussex, in partnership with the ECB, Lord’s Taverners and our sponsors Webtrends Optimize”. 

“This we welcome over 700 participants to our most important event in our calendar, DIScoverABILITY Day; welcoming some of the country’s highest performing disability cricket players from Sussex, Essex, Surrey and Hampshire disability squads to 1st Central, our first-class ground, as well as our most important event in our calendar, DIScoverABILITY Day, all on the same weekend will be incredible achievement, for disability cricket not only in Sussex but nationally”.  

“We look forward to welcoming as many people as possible to what will be a very special weekend at the 1st Central County Ground.”

The T10 Cup will be live streamed and our commentary team on the day will be Dan Jadz and Georgie Heath. Spectators will also get the chance to test their own batting skilsl, free of charge on the day, in our new Sixes Social Bar at Hove.

Tickets to the T10 Cup are available and free of charge. Please click here to register your attendance. 

Sussex Cricket Foundation Announces 2025 Ambassador Line-Up

The Sussex Cricket Foundation is proud to announce its new cohort of Ambassadors for 2025.  The Ambassadors will play a key role in championing the Foundation’s work and helping to raise its profile across the county.

Joining the team this year are:

• Tom Alsop & Jack Carson – Sussex Men’s team
• Lucy Western – Sussex Women’s team
• Dan Field – Sussex Disability team
• Chris Nash & Will Beer – Former Sussex professionals

Lucy, Chris, and Will are welcomed as new Ambassadors alongside existing supporters Tom, Jack, and Dan.

The Foundation's Ambassadors serve as vital advocates for the charity, helping to spread awareness of its initiatives, inspire community involvement, and promote the importance of accessible cricket for all. 

Their support is instrumental in encouraging others to get involved—whether through sponsorship, donation, or volunteering.

To learn more about the Sussex Cricket Foundation’s work and impact, please read the latest 2024 Impact Report.

The Foundation continues to rely on the generosity of donors, sponsors, and volunteers to sustain and expand its wide-reaching programmes. 

Anyone interested in supporting the Foundation is encouraged to contact Community Cricket Director, Gary Wallis-Tayler, at gary.wallis-tayler@sussexcricket.co.uk

Gary Wallis-Tayler, Community Cricket Director, said: "I am delighted to name our Foundation Ambassadors for 2025. Our ambassadors are crucial in helping us raise our profile across the county, promote the work we do, and encourage other players to support us. 

"As a Foundation, we continue to need financial support to help run our many programmes and initiatives that grow the game and make it accessible to all. Our ambassadors will be key to this, and I look forward to working with them over the year."

Worcestershire Rapids Women v Sussex Sharks Women

After two tough tests against Glamorgan and Yorkshire, Alexia Walker takes her Sussex Sharks team to Worcestershire for the next match in the Metro Bank One Day Cup tomorrow at 10:30am.

Last Time Out

Glamorgan away, Yorkshire at home. It doesn't get much harder than that for your first every Tier 2 games. Alexia Walker's side would have already learnt so much from stepping toe to toe with two future Tier 1 Counties. Although the odds were stacked against them, Alexia Walker feels her side didn't play the cricket she knows they can and is looking for improvements tomorrow against Worcestershire.

Squad

Mollie Adams (wk), Anna Buckle, Izzy Collis, Kali-Ann Docherty, Daisy Gibb, Chiara Green (c), Rachel King, Anna Lewis, Eve O'Neill, Talitha Stanley, Lucy Western, Jazz Westley, Phoebe Wilkinson 

How to Watch

As always, you can watch every ball, free of charge, via our Match Day Centre. You will need to register for a free account to access the stream, statistics, replays and live scorecard. You can find information on how to register here.

The action gets underway tomorrow at 10.30am.