Yorkshire vs Sussex: Day Four Match Report

Yorkshire dotted the i’s and crossed the t’s on a four-wicket Vitality County Championship victory over Division Two pacesetters Sussex at Scarborough during the fourth morning to boost their hopes of promotion. 

Resuming on 28 for two from 10 overs in pursuit of 103, the home side clinched a 21-point haul in exactly an hour’s play despite losing four wickets to off-spinner Jack Carson.

Opener Adam Lyth top-scored with 40 as Yorkshire claimed their third successive Championship victory dating back to June, consigning the league leaders to only a second defeat in 10 matches this season. Excellent Carson claimed his four consolatory wickets to finish with a career best nine for 120 in the match. 

Yorkshire, in third, started this fixture 27 points behind Sussex but are now only nine adrift with four rounds remaining.   

The White Rose county have won three Championship matches in a row for the first time since the early stages of 2021 when they beat Kent and Sussex away and Northamptonshire at Headingley.

Upon clinching victory, Yorkshire moved to second in the in-play Division Two table and would remain there later today should Middlesex fail to beat Northamptonshire at Merchant Taylors’ School.

Yorkshire and Middlesex face each other at Headingley from Thursday. Sussex, meanwhile, host Derbyshire at Hove next as they look to bounce back from a first defeat since May. 

Lyth set the tone in the day’s third over when he took back-to-back boundaries off Jaydev Unadkat’s left-arm seam - one flicked to fine-leg and the other cut through backward point. 

He then pulled Carson over midwicket and cut Ollie Robinson over backward point for sixes in the following two overs, taking the score to 59 for two. The writing was on the wall for Sussex.

Although Lyth led the way, he was importantly helped out by nightwatchman Dan Moriarty, who contributed 17 to a third-wicket partnership of 51. 

They came together at 18 for two late on day three and extinguished Sussex’s slim hopes of a turnaround.

Moriarty, Yorkshire’s regular number 11, was lbw to Carson - 69 for three -   before the same bowler had Lyth caught behind down leg at the second attempt by Simpson with a further seven runs added to the total. 

Carson also trapped James Wharton lbw to bring Jonny Bairstow to the crease with only eight to win, and he holed out to deep midwicket for a two-ball duck. 

Captain Jonny Tattersall hit the winning runs.

Report Provided by ECB Reporters' Network

Reaction from skipper, John Simpson, after defeat at Scarborough

Yorkshire vs Sussex: Day Three Match Report 

Yorkshire are closing in on victory over Vitality County Championship Division Two leaders Sussex following Ben Coad’s new ball five-for at Scarborough, setting up a victory target of 103 late on day three. 

Sussex started the day on 26 without loss in their second innings, 111 runs behind the league’s third-placed side, and were bowled out for 239 as seamer Coad returned five for 69. His wickets came with the first and second new balls.

Half-centuries for Tom Alsop and captain John Simpson, who top-scored with 67, meant the visitors were not over-run. But they realistically needed more to defy a Yorkshire attack who kept on coming at them. 

The hosts then closed the day on 28 for two from 10 overs and require 75 more to seal a third win in as many four-day games. 

Sussex were teetering at lunch against their third-placed rivals, 66 for three in their second innings and still 71 runs in arrears. Only their second defeat of 2024 looked like it might come quickly. 

However, Alsop with 61 - his second fifty of the match - and Simpson held things up with a fifth-wicket partnership of 85, compiled through the majority of the afternoon. 

A 45-minute rain delay from 11.10am cut 10 overs from the day’s allocation of 103.

Yorkshire still had enough time before lunch to prise out three Sussex wickets.

George Hill claimed two of them with his seam after Fin Bean had helped Coad strike with a stunning one-handed leaping catch above his head at third slip to remove the Australian opener Daniel Hughes.

That wicket had come in the opening stages of the day, before the rain. 

Afterwards, Hill had Tom Haines caught by Bean at first slip and Tom Clark caught behind by Jonny Bairstow - his first catch of the match. 

By now, Sussex were faced with a pitch showing significant signs of invariable bounce. Clark, for example, faced balls which rapped him on the gloves from Jordan Thompson and shot past his ankle from Hill en-route to 17.

Thompson himself struck in the early stages of the afternoon when he uprooted James Coles’ leg-stump - 84 for four in the 36th over.

But that paved the way for the Sussex fightback, with Alsop and Simpson - their two most prolific batters this season - wiping out the remaining 53-run deficit and claiming a lead.

Largely, they advanced with caution, though Alsop, who drove nicely, did reverse sweep one of his boundaries off Dan Moriarty’s left-arm spin.  

By the time tea arrived, Sussex were 164 for four, 27 ahead and Alsop had reached a 125-ball fifty.

Their partnership was closing in on three figures when Alsop was caught behind at the second attempt by Bairstow on the cut. 

And when Fynn Hudson-Prentice was run out at the striker’s end having been sent back by Simpson, with Jonny Tattersall from backward point and Bairstow combining, Sussex were 179 for six in the 78th over, leading by 42 and with the new ball on the horizon. 

That new ball worked immediately for Yorkshire, with Coad getting Jack Carson caught behind. 

At 188 for seven, the earlier good work of Alsop and Simpson was threatening to be undermined. So it proved. 

As Simpson reached his fifty off 129 balls, Ollie Robinson clubbed a quick 28, only for him to be caught behind off Coad. Bairstow’s fourth catch of the day left Sussex 226 for eight, leading by 89. 

Coad had Jaydev Unadkat caught at mid-on shortly afterwards before bowling Simpson, who tried to ramp a second six as he was shorn of partners, to wrap things up with his 35th wicket of the campaign. No bowler has taken more in Division Two this season.

Unadkat and Robinson then had Bean and Thompson caught in the slips - 18 for two - to at least give Sussex a glimmer of hope that they can achieve what would be a remarkable turnaround.

Report Provided by ECB Reporters' Network

Reaction from Paul Farbrace at stumps on day three

Yorkshire vs Sussex: Day Two Match Report

England’s Jonny Bairstow contributed a combative 57 - his first first-class fifty since last July - as Yorkshire took charge of their Vitality County Championship clash with promotion rivals Sussex after two days at Scarborough. 

Bairstow came in immediately after lunch with Yorkshire 104 for three in reply to Sussex’s 189 all out, the visitors’ first innings wrapped up in the day’s second over.

The 34-year-old shared 90 with fourth-wicket partner Will Luxton, the fledgling batter whose 59 represented his career best score in only his fourth appearance. 

Sussex off-spinner Jack Carson claimed an excellent season’s best five for 83 in 20 overs as Yorkshire were bowled out for 326, a lead of 137, and the Hove county closed their second innings on 26 without loss from 10 overs.

Bairstow’s innings was what Yorkshire and England fans have come to expect, but not without luck as he was dropped on 38 and 51.

Bairstow was quickly into the battle. 

After driving his first ball for four down the ground off Fynn Hudson-Prentice, Robinson thought he had him caught behind on four.

There was no doubt Bairstow won today’s battle, and Yorkshire, who have had the best of batting conditions, could go on and claim victory in the war with the Division Two leaders over the next couple of days.    

During his afternoon innings, including seven fours and a six in 72 balls, Bairstow successfully drove two boundaries off Robinson, he lofted Hudson-Prentice’s medium pace over mid-on’s head twice and pulled Hunt for six two balls after Robinson’s drop.

While all the focus will be on Bairstow, who last posted a red ball fifty in the final Test of last summer’s Ashes at the Oval in late July, Luxton was just as good but in more watchful fashion during his 130 balls.

The fact he didn’t score in the afternoon’s opening 50 minutes, stuck on 27, indicated that.

There had been some doubt as to whether play would start on time due to a gale-force wind. But it did, and four morning wickets fell.

The first saw Jordan Thompson trap Hunt lbw to wrap up the Sussex innings and claim his third wicket, leaving Tom Alsop unbeaten on 86.

Indian left-arm seamer Jaydev Unadkat left Yorkshire at 31 for two as Adam Lyth played on for 24 before getting Fin Bean, the other home opener, caught behind.

James Wharton and Luxton shared a dashing 73, with the former pulling Hunt for six.

But Hudson-Prentice limited Wharton’s contribution to 40 when, in the final over of the morning, he had him caught at first slip - 104 for three in the 26th over. 

That brought Bairstow to the crease, and when he departed before tea - lbw to Carson’s off-spin as he played back - he thought it may have been outside the line of off-stump.

Umpire Tom Lungley disagreed, and Yorkshire were 194 for four in the 48th over.

Carson added three more evening wickets as Luxton was bowled, Jonny Tattersall lbw and George Hill caught at mid-on, leaving the hosts at 248 for seven in the 66th over - a lead of 59.

Robinson had Matthew Revis caught in the slips for 34 and Dan Moriarty caught behind to wrap up Yorkshire’s innings. 

Sandwiched in between, Carson bowled a paddling Ben Coad. But Sussex were hurt by a swashbuckling 44 not out with four sixes as Thompson built the Yorkshire lead.

Bad light later cut Sussex’s second innings short by five overs.

Report Provided by ECB Reporters' Network

Reaction from Jack Carson after taking five wickets on day two 

Members' Forum: Monday 9th September 

A Members' Forum will take place on Monday 9th September after the opening days play between Sussex and Glamorgan at The 1st Central County Ground. 

The forum will be hosted in Cow Corner, with Paul Farbrace, Jon Filby and Pete Fitzboydon in attendance for a Q&A.

Complimentary tea and coffee will be available. Members are advised to bring their membership cards with them. 

Yorkshire vs Sussex: Day One Match Report

Yorkshire enjoyed the better of a hard-fought opening day of their Vitality County Championship promotion battle with Division Two leaders Sussex at Scarborough, though potentially not by much.

Sussex came into this 10th round Division Two affair top of the table with six wins and Yorkshire third with two. The gap between the two sides was 27 points, and both have high hopes of playing top-flight cricket next season.

Sussex, invited to bat in challenging conditions, battled hard to reach close at 187 for nine from 72 overs, including half-centuries for left-handers Daniel Hughes and Tom Alsop, who top-scored with 84 not out off 184 balls. 

They had to recover from 14-2 during the early stages of the afternoon after rain had limited the morning session to only four overs. Matthew Revis’s seam accounted for three wickets.

Although the day was shortened by 24 overs due to rain at the start and bad light at the end, the play was intriguing, and it would be absolutely no surprise if Sussex’s total turns out to be a competitive one.

They batted under grey skies and on a pitch showing signs of uneven bounce. 

Hughes, who made 53, and Alsop, the latter dropped in the slips on nine during the afternoon, both drove nicely. 

Australian overseas opener Hughes has enjoyed an excellent start to life with the South Coast county during the second half of the summer, mainly in the Vitality Blast.

And he has just signed on to return for the majority of 2025.

He drove the first ball of the match, from Coad, through the covers after Jonny Tattersall had elected to bowl. 

Another memorable one came almost arrow straight off George Hill midway through the afternoon to move him into the forties. But, largely, he was forced to battle hard.

Unfortunately, having done the hard work and got set - he reached his fifty off 85 balls - he drove Coad to cover two balls later, falling to leave Sussex at 75 for three in the 30th over. 

Either side of the morning rain, from 11.20pm to 1.10pm, including lunch, 

Coad had trapped Tom Haines lbw with a full ball with the last delivery of the contest’s opening over before Tom Clark was caught at point.

Hughes and Alsop then shared 61 for the third wicket to ease Sussex nerves.

Like Hughes, Alsop has this week committed his future to the South Coast county, signing a long-term contract. 

He was also strong on the drive but was far more obdurate than Hughes, seemingly determined to make the most of his life on nine when Fin Bean shelled a head-high chance at third slip off the bowling of Matthew Revis. 

After the Hughes dismissal, Thompson trapped James Coles lbw - 85 for four in the 36th over. 

Alsop and captain John Simpson shared 40 into the evening, but the latter pulled George Hill’s seam to midwicket. When Fynn Hudson-Prentice edged Revis to first slip shortly afterwards, Sussex were 134 for six in the 55th. 

Shortly afterwards, Alsop reached his half-century off 142 balls.

Jack Carson and Indian seamer Jaydev Unadkat then offered catches to third and fourth slip as they drove at Revis. 

Sandwiched in between, Ollie Robinson edged Dan Moriarty’s left-arm spin to slip as the score slipped to 172 for nine in the 69th over.

Jonny Bairstow took the wicketkeeping gloves for Yorkshire in his first county appearance of the season and was neat and tidy, while Sussex's new ball seamer Robinson was only called upon late on with the bat and made two. 

Shortly before bad light was called at 6.15pm, the excellent Alsop hit two boundaries - one reverse swept and the other swept - off Moriarty as he ran out of partners.

Report Provided by ECB Reporters' Network

Reaction from Tom Alsop at stumps on day one 

Sussex Sharks VI vs Lancashire VI: Match Report

In the penultimate game for both teams in the BCEW National League Division 1 the Sharks hosted Lancashire at Blackstone on Saturday 17th August. 

Lancashire skipper Sheraz Chohan called correctly and invited the Sharks to set a  total knowing that a win was essential to keep the Sharks’ title aspirations alive.

The Lancastrians opened bowling very disciplined lines and restricted the Sharks to just 53 for 1 off the first 10 overs. 

At the fall of the second wicket, Dan Field looked to press the accelerator and the score had jumped to around 140 by the end of the 20th over. 

With the boundaries flowing Dan’s innings came to an unfortunate end after he got into a terrible tangle and was stumped off the bowling of Arslan Sabir (2-29), scoring 72 off just 47 balls. 

This was the signal for Si Ledwith to open his shoulders and his 69 not out off 47 balls propelled the Sharks to 228-3 when they declared their innings at the end of the 27th over.

With Sussex needing the win and Lancashire desperate for points to avoid relegation, it was clear from the early overs that Lancashire were going to look to bat out the draw and the Sharks were going to set attacking fields to try and get wickets. 

Totally blind Shoaib Nazir looked to push the field back and his 24 off 29 took Lancashire to 44 before the loss of the 2nd wicket, sparking a mini collapse, Lancs slipped to 50 for 4 and then 81 for 6. 

Former Pakistan International Shahzeb Haider was holding the innings together his 43 off 51 balls was a masterclass of defending the good deliveries and mercilessly punishing the bad ball. 

The Sharks kept chipping away at the other end and 2 spectacular catches from Totally Blind Dave Daniels off his son Phil Daniels kept doubt in the Lancs batters mind that any soft defensive shot was going to be gobbled up by the very close fielders. 

The overs were slipping away, and it looked like Lancs just might salvage a result. 

When Phil trapped Shahzeb plum in front the 8th wicket fell, and the win looked on again. 

With just 17 balls left to defend a full straight ball from Dan Field trapped young Lewis Kurucz in front and Lancashire were all out for 136. 

In the end, the Sharks had bagged a 92-run victory to keep them top of Division 1.#

Report provided by Ian Morris 

T20 Quarter-Final Reserve Date Information

With the Sharks’ T20 Vitality Blast quarter-final fast approaching, we’d like to inform ticket holders of the reserve day policy and information. 

Reserve Date

In the event that the match on Wednesday 4th September cannot be completed, the match will be rescheduled for the following day (Thursday 5th September).

The time of the game on the reserve date will be determined by the match officials, to ensure it has the best possible chance of being completed. 

Will my ticket be valid for the reserve date?

Yes, all tickets will be valid for the following day and no refunds will be available under these circumstances.

What if the match cannot be completed on the reserve date?

If the match cannot be completed on Thursday 5th September, the match will be decided by a bowl-off in the Indoor School. 

Spectators would not be permitted in the Indoor School, should this happen.

Will my hospitality ticket be valid for the reserve date?

Hospitality tickets will also be valid for the reserve date; however, food and drink packages will be served regardless of the weather/outcome of the game on Wednesday 4th September (original date).

ECB Announce 2025 IT20 at The 1st Central County Ground

The ECB have today announced that England Women will play West Indies Women in an IT20 on Friday 23rd May at The 1st Central County Ground, Hove. 

The exciting news follows yet another sellout for an England Women's fixture at Hove in 2024 and is expected to be yet another full house when they meet the West Indies Women next summer. 

Information on how and when you can secure tickets for this match will follow in the coming days.

Full ECB Release

England Men’s and England Women’s series against India and West Indies at heart of 2025 schedule

• Five-match Men’s Rothesay Test series and Women’s Metro Bank One Day International and Vitality IT20 series against India at heart of the summer between June 20 and August 4.
• Before that, both sides will take on their West Indies counterparts in white-ball series between May 21 and June 10.
• Zimbabwe return for first time since 2003 with a one-off Rothesay Test at Trent Bridge from May 22 to 25.
• England Men also host Metro Bank ODI and Vitality IT20 white-ball series against South Africa in September to close the home international season.
• Public Ballot for England Men’s and England Women’s international fixtures set to open on 29 August at most venues. Supporters can ensure they are first to receive information about how to buy and gain priority access to tickets by signing up to We Are England Cricket Supporters at ecb.co.uk/tickets/priority.
• Also announced that England Women will take on India in first Women’s Test Match at Lord’s in 2026.

England Men and England Women will play two series alongside each other in 2025 in an exciting line-up of international cricket unveiled today.

England Women will open the international summer at Canterbury on May 21 with a Vitality IT20 against West Indies Women. That series will include a further two IT20s, before the sides compete in three Metro Bank One Day Internationals (ODIs).

A three-match ODI series between England Men and West Indies Men will begin a few days later at Edgbaston on May 29, with a three-match IT20 series straight after. This follows the conclusion of a historic Test match against Zimbabwe at Trent Bridge, starting on May 22, which will be the first time Zimbabwe have played a Test match in England since 2003.

The West Indies series will be followed by England Men’s and England Women’s series against India which will also run alongside each other. A five-match Men’s Rothesay Test series will be interspersed by England Women’s five Vitality IT20s and three Metro Bank One Day Internationals.

The Rothesay Men’s Test series promises to be a thrilling clash, with the sides currently at numbers two and three in the ICC world rankings. The last series ended in a 2-2 draw after England won the decider by seven wickets in 2022 in Ben Stokes and Brendon McCullum’s first summer at the helm. The match had been delayed by a year due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

England Men’s series will begin at Headingley on June 20 before matches at Edgbaston, Lord’s and Emirates Old Trafford. The series will conclude at The Kia Oval in early August.

England Women’s series also promises to be exciting after England triumphed in the IT20 series and India took the ODI crown the last time the two sides met in this country in 2022.

Next year’s England Women’s series will begin with Vitality IT20s at Trent Bridge, Bristol’s Seat Unique Stadium, The Kia Oval, Emirates Old Trafford and Edgbaston, before three Metro Bank ODIs at Southampton’s Utilita Bowl, Lord’s and the Seat Unique Riverside, Chester-le-Street.

The home international summer will then conclude in early September, with England Men taking on South Africa in three Metro Bank ODIs and three Vitality IT20s, before the team travels to Ireland for three ODIs from September 17 to 21.

It has also been confirmed that India Women will return in 2026 for a one-off Test match at Lord’s – the first-ever Women’s Test to be staged at the Home of Cricket. England Women have played white-ball matches at Lord’s for the past three years to record crowds of up to 21,610, with another scheduled next year, but it will be the first time the ground has hosted a Women’s Test match.

Ticket sales activity for priority groups is set to commence from August 29 with a Public Ballot for England Men’s and England Women’s international fixtures.

Supporters can ensure they are first to receive information about how to buy and gain priority access to tickets by signing up to We Are England Cricket Supporters at ecb.co.uk/tickets/priority.

Richard Gould, ECB Chief Executive Officer, said: “Staging England Men’s and England Women’s series alongside each other has been popular with fans and supported the continued growth of the women’s game, with both the Ashes last year and the Pakistan series earlier this year proving successful. I’m excited we’ll be doing the same again for the West Indies and India series next year. Cricket fans are in for a real treat, and I hope they’ll be out in force to support both men’s and women’s sides.

“India touring is always a big draw and a highlight of any cricket summer. The last men’s Test series here was a nailbiter and I’m sure next year’s clash will be just as exciting, while our women’s series are always fiercely competitive. I’m delighted we’ll also be welcoming both West Indies teams back again for white-ball series, following this year’s men’s Test series.

“To be welcoming Zimbabwe back for a men's Test Match will be a historic moment, more than 20 years since their last visit. Test cricket is so beloved in this country, and we know that we have an important role to play in supporting developing test cricketing nations so that this format of the game thrives long into the future.

“I’m also delighted we can confirm that India Women will return in 2026 to take on England Women in the first-ever women’s Test match at Lord’s. It will be a truly special occasion, and one of real significance.”

Jayden Seales to Return to Sussex in 2025

Sussex Cricket is delighted to announce that West Indies Test bowler Jayden Seales will return to the Club at the start of the 2025 season.

The right-arm fast-bowler will be available for selection for the first block of the County Championship fixtures. 

Seales featured in the first 7 of Sussex’s County Championship matches this season, taking 38 wickets at an average of 25.29.

His best figures of 5-29 for Sussex came in a scintillating spell against Derbyshire, helping Sussex to a comfortable innings and 124-run victory, cementing their place at the top of the second division in the County Championship.

Seales recently took 13 wickets in the Test series against England and has taken a total of 62 wickets in 15 appearances for the West Indies.

Speaking on coming back to Sussex for another stint, Seales, said: “It is an absolute pleasure to re-sign for Sussex. I have really enjoyed my time there this season and was very excited when the opportunity came to sign again.

“I can’t wait to be with the team again and hopefully in Division 1 next year!”

Sussex Head Coach, Paul Farbrace, added: “I am delighted that Jayden has signed to return to Hove next season, he is a fabulous bowler and a high-quality person. 

“He showed on many occasions during the early season that he runs in hard every ball, whatever the conditions and situation in the game. 

“He gave himself a great chance of success every day.

“Jayden is an incredibly popular guy in the dressing room, and everyone at the club will be delighted to see him back with us next season and we are all delighted with his continual development playing for the West Indies.”

Yorkshire vs Sussex: Match Preview

Sussex return to Vitality County Championship action tomorrow with a trip to Scarborough to take on promotional rivals Yorkshire. Paul Farbrace has named a 14-player squad for the game, which starts at 11am. 

Squad

Alsop, Carson, Carter, Clark, Coles, Crocombe, Haines, Hudson-Prentice, Hughes, Hunt, Karvelas, Robinson, Simpson* (wk), Unadkat

Team News

Jaydev Unadkat joins up with the squad for the final five games of the Championship season. Daniel Hughes also comes in as the second overseas player.

How to Watch

As ever, you can watch every single ball, free of charge on our livestream via the Match Day Centre. The first ball tomorrow is at 11am.