Match Preview: Sussex vs Northamptonshire

The Vitality County Championship is back! Sussex's season gets underway tomorrow with the visit of Northamptonshire, and Head Coach Paul Farbrace has named 14-player squad for the opener.

Squad

Alsop, Carson, Carter, Clark, Coles, Crocombe, Haines, Hudson-Prentice, Hunt, Karvelas, Lamb, Robinson, Seales, Simpson* (c)

Team news

Cheteshwar Pujara will miss the season opener due to a slight back injury. 

Danny Lamb, Jayden Seales and John Simpson all make their first-class debuts for Sussex, with Simpson also captaining the side and taking the gloves. 

Farbrace's thoughts

The lads have worked incredibly hard over the winter, with the trip to India the icing on the cake. Everybody is read to go and we are very much looking forward to the visit of Northamptonshire at The 1st Central County Ground. 

Free tickets on day one!

To kick the season off we are opening the doors of The 1st Central County Ground on day one and offering free entry to all spectators. All you have to do is claim your free ticket online here. 

Livestream

Can't make it down to see the game in person? No worries, you can see every single ball of the match, free of charge via our Livestream at our Match Centre, starting from 11am. 

Secure your Sussex Membership

Sussex are set to push for promotion once again this season, with Paul Farbrace recruiting a host of experienced cricketers alongside his group of talented, homegrown squad and the only way to secure your seat at EVERY home game this year is with a 2024 Membership.

As well as tickets to every home County Championship game, you'll also get your seat at every home Metro One Day Cup fixture.

Get yours today. 

Purchase your Membership here. 

The 2024 Members' Yearbook is now available for collection from the Club Shop, or alternatively, please call 01273 827100 to arrange for it to be posted to your home.

Please note: A small postage fee will be charged in order to have it delivered to you directly. 

You can also view the Members' Yearbook online, here. 

Tom Clark signs contract extension with Sussex

Sussex Cricket is delighted to announce that opening batter Tom Clark has signed a contract extension with the Club.

The new deal will see Clark remain at Sussex until at least the end of the 2026 season.

Another product of the Sussex Academy, Clark made his mark on the team in 2022, scoring 765 runs in the County Championship, as well as making his maiden first-class and List A centuries. 

Clark has gone on to make two first-class centuries, as well as 12 half-centuries since cementing his place at the top of the Sussex order.

Last season he also made his mark on the T20 side, accumulating 294 runs at a strike rate of 144.11, with a high score of 47. 

Speaking on the new deal, Clark said: “I am delighted to a sign a contract extension with my boyhood Club.

“I am very excited and proud to be a part of the next few years with this team and coaching staff.

“Hopefully we can build on last year and push for promotion and silverware, this season and beyond.”

Sussex Head Coach, Paul Farbrace added: “I’m absolutely delighted Tom has committed his immediate future to the Club. 

"He has worked so hard this winter and is already showing that hard work is paying off.

"He is a great person to have around the team, he’s a brilliant fielder and showed last summer how quickly he developed his white ball game in the Blast.”

Sussex Cricket is delighted to announce that entry to day one of Sussex vs Northamptonshire on Friday 5th April is completely free of charge!

To kick the season off, Sussex is opening the doors of The 1st Central County Ground to anyone who would like to come down and support the team. All you have to do is claim your free ticket, in advance. 

CLICK HERE TO CLAIM YOUR FREE TICKET TODAY. 

Still time to secure your 2024 Membership!

Sussex are set to push for promotion once again this season, with Paul Farbrace recruiting a host of experienced cricketers alongside his group of talented, homegrown squad and the only way to secure your seat at EVERY home game this year is with a 2024 Membership.

As well as tickets to every home County Championship game, you'll also get your seat at every home Metro One Day Cup fixture.

Get yours today. 

Purchase your Membership here. 

Sussex vs Northamptonshire: Day One Spectator Information 

With entry free of charge for the first day of the Vitality Insurance County Championship match against Northamptonshire tomorrow and a large crowd expected, we've pulled together all the information you need to plan your day at The 1st Central County Ground. 

What time does it start?

The first ball of the day will be bowled at 11am, with gates open to spectators from 930am.

How to get here

The 1st Central County Ground is located a short walk from Hove train station and is easily accessible by rail and bus. There is no spectator parking at the ground, we recommend coming on foot or by public transport. You can find full directions here.

Cashless venue

Spectators are reminded that The 1st Central County Ground is a cashless venue, so please plan accordingly. 

Food and drink

A variety of food and drink outlets are available at the ground to keep you topped up throughout the day. 

Greigs Care, located by the main entrance will be serving breakfast from 930am, followed by a range of delicious treats supplied by the award-winning Higgidy,

You’ll be able to get your hands on a wide range of Higgidy’s pies and snacking products throughout the day! Plus, don't miss out on the special office in Greig's Cafe, of a pie and a pint for just £10.

Teas, coffees and soft drinks are also available to purchase at various stations around the ground. 

If you’re a Sussex Cricket Member, check out the hot dish of the day in the pavilion, available from 1130am until 230pm. 

Don't forget, for County Championship games, you are permitted to bring your own food & beverages into the ground. 

Adult spectators may bring alcoholic are permitted to bring up to four 500ml cans of beer/lager or a 75cl bottle of wine.

Free scorecards

As with all games at The 1st Central County Ground, free scorecards will be available to collect a variety of locations across the ground. 

How to claim your free ticket

Tickets are free of charge for day 1 and can be claimed by clicking here. Members can present their membership cards at the gate for entry.

All that’s left to do is to head down and enjoy some free cricket! #GOSBTS

The 9th Sussex Cricket Limited Annual General Meeting took place on Tuesday 26th March 2024 at The 1st Central County Ground.

Hosted by the Sussex Cricket Chair, Jon Filby, the Annual General Meeting was also led by the newly appointed Chief Executive, Pete Fitzboydon and Honorary Treasurer, Fiona Richards.

Fiona Richards presented a summary of the 2023 Annual Report and Accounts, reporting the strong financial position of the organisation, post-pandemic.

The group operating profit for the year ending 31 October 2023 stood at £797k.

The full report and accounts can be read here.

Following the financing reporting, the members ratified the appointment of Sir Rod Aldridge as President, as well as Varadarajan Kalidasan, John Barclay and Toby Peirce as Board Members. 

Toby Peirce was elected following a vote from the affiliated clubs in Sussex, ratified by One Finance Group. Results can be downloaded using the button at the bottom of this article. 

Members also ratified the re-appointment of co-opted Board Members, Chaira Khan and Jatin Patel.

There was also an update from Gary Wallis-Tayler, Community Cricket Foundation who highlighted the key success stories of the Sussex Cricket Foundation and its 2023 Impact Report.

Members then heard from Head Coach, Paul Farbrace, who discussed progress on the pitch in 2023 and his objectives for the 2024 season.  

Members will be notified when the full minutes from the Annual General Meeting will be available.

Speaking after the AGM, Chair Jon Filby said: “I am very grateful to all those members who attended the AGM last night for their outstanding support for Sussex Cricket. 

“I know that all who attended will have enjoyed hearing Paul Farbrace’s talking with such passion about the hard work that the players have put in throughout the winter and his confidence in the team for the summer ahead. 

“I am also very pleased to welcome Sir Rod Aldridge as our President for the next two years and Toby Peirce as a new Board Director.

"These are exciting times for Sussex Cricket and I am very much looking forward to working with Pete Fitzboydon, Sir Rod Aldridge, the Executive and the Board to deliver results for Sussex Cricket on and off the field”.

Sussex’s bowlers impressed on day two of their final pre-season friendly against Hampshire, which ended in a draw. 

Ari Karvelas struck twice in his second over to reduce Hampshire to 9-2.

When Sean Hunt picked up both James Vince and Ben Brown in the 18th over, Hampshire were under pressure at 48-5. 

But a 77-run stand for the sixth wicket helped Hampshire to 150-8 at the close.  

The home side had earlier reached 163-6 in their first innings – Oli Carter top-scoring with 35.

No play was possible on day one due to rain, and so it was agreed that each side would bat for a maximum of 45 overs with Sussex getting first use of the Hove pitch. 

Sussex got off to a difficult start when Tom Clark, the centurion against Surrey earlier in the week, edged the third ball of the day to Liam Dawson at second slip off the bowling of former South African international Kyle Abbott. 

Tom Alsop and Tom Haines had started to rebuild for Sussex before the fluent Haines (26) lost his off stump in the tenth over courtesy of a Brad Wheal beauty.

Alsop brought up the 50 for Sussex in the 15th over hitting consecutive boundaries off Hampshire youngster Eddie Jack. 

However, he was out for 31 shortly after, chipping one to Nick Gubbins at mid-wicket off the bowling of Dawson with Sussex 75-3. 

The 100 for Sussex was brought up in the 27th over, Oli Carter playing Dom Kelly out to the cover boundary for a single. 

But Carter was out in the next, top edging a sweep off Dawson to Jack, who took an easy catch.

Dawson had his third when he trapped James Coles in front for 21 with the score on 125 in the 34th over. 

That brought Fynn Hudson-Prentice, Sussex’s leading run scorer in the County Championship last season, to the crease to join John Simpson who looked busy before he was caught and bowled by Dawson for 18. 

Hudson-Prentice (25) and Danial Ibrahim (2) negotiated the final five overs of the innings, putting on 25 for the seventh wicket with Sussex finishing on 163-6. 

England seamer Ollie Robinson thought he had Ali Orr out in the first over of the second innings, but the nick bounced just in front of second slip. 

The former Sussex batter didn’t last much longer, however, being caught behind by Simpson off the bowling of Karvelas for just two. 

Two balls later Karvelas had his second. This time finding the edge of Hampshire captain Gubbins (0) to give Simpson another simple catch. 

Simpson had his third victim in the ninth over after Fletcha Middleton was out to Robinson for four, leaving Hampshire reeling three wickets down with just 15 on the board.

Vince then decided counterattacking was his best option, taking Karvelas for four fours in the tenth over.

Vince and Brown put on 32 for the fourth wicket before Vince edged Hunt to Clark at second slip – having made 30. 

Brown (7) fell in the same over, pulling a short delivery to the waiting Henry Crocombe at mid-wicket, with Hampshire struggling at 48-5 in the 18th over. 

Hampshire recovered well through Dawson and Tom Prest, reaching 125 before Sussex finally broke the partnership. Dawson (49) gifted a catch to Carter at cover off the bowling of Coles.

Abbott was the next man out in the 38th over, after being hit on the pad in front of middle by Coles. 

Prest (36) then chipped tamely to Crocombe at mid-off to give the impressive Coles his third, leaving Hampshire 142-8. 

Toby Albert (7) and Joe Weatherley (2) ensured Hampshire ended the game eight down with Haines bowling the final over. 

Sussex begin their County Championship Division Two campaign against Northamptonshire on Friday (April 5) at The 1st Central County Ground.

 Report by Luke Ashbery

Sussex Cricket is delighted to announce that entry to day one of Sussex vs Northamptonshire on Friday 5th April is completely free of charge!

To kick the season off, Sussex is opening the doors of The 1st Central County Ground to anyone who would like to come down and support the team. All you have to do is claim your free ticket, in advance. 

CLICK HERE TO CLAIM YOUR FREE TICKET TODAY. 

Still time to secure your 2024 Membership!

Sussex are set to push for promotion once again this season, with Paul Farbrace recruiting a host of experienced cricketers alongside his group of talented, homegrown squad and the only way to secure your seat at EVERY home game this year is with a 2024 Membership.

As well as tickets to every home County Championship game, you'll also get your seat at every home Metro One Day Cup fixture.

Get yours today. 

Purchase your Membership here. 

 

Sussex take on Hampshire in the final warm-up game before the return of the County Championship next week. with Paul Farbrace naming a 13-player squad. 

Squad

Alsop, Carson, Carter, Clark, Coles, Crocombe, Haines, Hudson-Prentice, Hunt, Ibrahim, Karvelas, Robinson (available day 2), Simpson*

Format

The game will be contested over two days, starting on Friday 29th March, with a 60/30 over split for the batting/bowling each day. 

Hours of Play

Play will begin at 11am and end at 6pm on day one, with play starting at 1030am on day two and ending at 530pm. 

Entry

Gates will open for spectators at 10am on both days, entry is free for all spectators. 

Food and drink

Spectators are permitted to bring their own food & drink into the venue. Teas, coffees and other refreshments, along with snacks will be available to purchase in the main pavilion.

Cashless venue

Spectators are reminded that The 1st Central County Ground is a cashless venue, so please plan accordingly.

Livestream 

The game will be streamed live on our Match Centre, without commentary.

Sussex Cricket is delighted to announce that entry to day one of Sussex vs Northamptonshire on Friday 5th April is completely free of charge!

To kick the season off, Sussex is opening the doors of The 1st Central County Ground to anyone who would like to come down and support the team. All you have to do is claim your free ticket, in advance. 

CLICK HERE TO CLAIM YOUR FREE TICKET TODAY. 

Still time to secure your 2024 Membership!

Sussex are set to push for promotion once again this season, with Paul Farbrace recruiting a host of experienced cricketers alongside his group of talented, homegrown squad and the only way to secure your seat at EVERY home game this year is with a 2024 Membership.

As well as tickets to every home County Championship game, you'll also get your seat at every home Metro One Day Cup fixture.

Get yours today. 

Purchase your Membership here. 

Pre-order Your New Sussex Shirt Today

We are delighted to announce that Sussex fans can now pre-order their new Nike Sussex match shirt, in time for the start of the 2024 season.

All three shirts are available for you to purchase ahead of the new County Championship season, which starts on Friday 5th April.

Whether you prefer the traditional whites of the County Championship, or fancy something bolder to support the team in across the white-ball season, we have something for you.

All shirts are available to purchase in both adult and junior sizes. Visit the online Club Shop now to pre-order yours.

Tom Clark reached a classy century against a strong Surrey attack on day two of their pre-season match at The 1st Central County Ground before the rain brought a premature end to the game, which ended in a draw. 

Sussex finished on 165-3 from 49 overs when the rain came during the lunch break, having added 105 runs to their overnight score. 

Clark’s 100 was brought up off 159 balls, retiring on 102, after pulling a Jamie Overton bouncer to the square-leg boundary for four in the 44th over of the innings. 

He was one of seven Sussex batters to score more than 600 runs in the County Championship last year, and he will be hoping to build on his pre-season form in the 2024 Championship.  

Clark and Tom Alsop put on 124 for the second wicket, before the gutsy Alsop was caught at short-leg for 32. 

Sussex began day two, 60 for one, with Clark unbeaten on 40 and Alsop on 12. 

Yesterday’s toss was uncontested and an agreement between the two clubs gave Surrey the chance to bat first, with last year’s Division One County Champions reaching 221 for seven before declaring in the 50th over.

Tom Haines was the only batter out last evening caught by Lawes off the bowling of Dan Worrall for six. 

The Sussex batters started day two sensibly, largely playing defensively or leaving as Tom Lawes and Jordan Clark bowled a challenging line and length. 

The only early scare came off the first ball of the second over with Alsop pushing into the covers and taking off for a tight quick single, however, Dan Worrall’s direct throw missed the stumps at the bowler’s end. 

Clark struck the first boundary of the morning hitting Jordan Clark straight down the ground with a lovely on-drive. 

Soon after, Clark reached his 50 off 98 balls, top-edging a pull from Conor McKerr over the keeper to the vacant fine-leg boundary for four. 

The ninth over of the day saw Surrey introduce spin with Cam Steel, but Clark had seen enough in Steel’s second. He hit the leg-spinner for consecutive boundaries, the first a lofted drive over the bowler’s head, and the second a powerful reverse sweep through point. 

Alsop’s first boundary of the day also came with a reverse sweep off Steel, but the Sussex batter survived a close LBW shout a few balls later. 

The pair brought up the 100 for Sussex in the 34th over of the innings, just within the first hour’s play on day two, with Clark late-cutting a McKerr delivery to the third-man boundary for four. 

Three overs later they had their hundred partnership, the bulk having been scored by the impressive Clark, ably supported by Alsop. 

Alsop’s innings ended shortly after when he was caught at short-leg by Smith off the bowling of Steel for 32. 

As soon as Clark reached his ton he retired which brought James Coles to the crease joining Oli Carter, with the pair seeing Sussex through to lunch with the score 165 for three before the rain called time on the game. 

Sussex’s final pre-season friendly begins on Friday – another two-day game at The 1st Central County Ground against Hampshire. 

Report by Luke Ashbery

Sussex Cricket is delighted to announce that entry to day one of Sussex vs Northamptonshire on Friday 5th April is completely free of charge!

To kick the season off, Sussex is opening the doors of The 1st Central County Ground to anyone who would like to come down and support the team. All you have to do is claim your free ticket, in advance. 

CLICK HERE TO CLAIM YOUR FREE TICKET TODAY. 

Still time to secure your 2024 Membership!

Sussex are set to push for promotion once again this season, with Paul Farbrace recruiting a host of experienced cricketers alongside his group of talented, homegrown squad and the only way to secure your seat at EVERY home game this year is with a 2024 Membership.

As well as tickets to every home County Championship game, you'll also get your seat at every home Metro One Day Cup fixture.

Get yours today. 

Purchase your Membership here. 


 

Sussex continued their buildup to the start of the 2024 County Championship with a strong first day’s play against Surrey in a two day warm up at The 1st Central County Ground.

Sussex were superb to reduce the visitors to 120-5 before lunch, before an impressive Jamie Overton 70 dragged Surrey to 221-7 inside 50 overs.

The home side were slightly less aggressive in their response, but opener Tom Clark batted nicely and was virtually unthreatened for his 40 not out.

Sussex closed on 60-1 but it is unlikely they will be able to continue their chase given a poor weather forecast tomorrow.

Sussex started the days play well on top, reducing a star-studded Surrey top order to 42-3 within the first hour.

Former England openers Rory Burns and Dom Sibley were subjected to an excellent opening spell from Ari Karvelas and Sean Hunt, who struck first when Burns was caught behind for two attempting a booming drive through cover.

It was just reward for Hunt who stayed patient with a consistent line and had clearly left the cover region open to tempt Burns into the shot.

A remarkable Fynn Hudson-Prentice catch above head height ended Sibley’s fluent 20 when he tried to clip Karvelas over mid-wicket.

And the visitors were soon three down when Ryan Patel, attempting to pull first change paceman Henry Crocombe, top edged to Oli Carter, who took a difficult grab running in from deep square leg.

But an impressive Jamie Smith half century steadied Surrey, as he put on a quick 68 with Jordan Clark.

Smith looked confident in his stoke play, hitting boundaries through the covers, and over cow corner, before hitting two sumptuous drives down the ground in the same over to bring up his 50.

But Clarke was removed by Hudson-Prentice as he attempted to drive before Smith followed without another run being added, leaving the visitors 110-5 on the stroke of lunch.

And Surrey’s difficulties continued five overs after lunch when Lamb dismissed Steel lbw to leave them 137-6, before Jamie Overton and Tom Lawes came together to add a crucial 84.

Overton was the pick of the batters with an impressive 70 which included 11 boundaries. He targeted Carson’s off-spin well with some big hits down the ground and to the leg side but was lucky to be dropped by Tom Haines on 48.

The Surrey innings was ended by James Coles who had Lawes bowled for 25, to leave them 221/7 from 49.2 overs at the interval.

The Sussex chase was played at a slower pace, but Tom Clark looked particularly classy; he was astute in defence and dangerous through the leg side, where he notched three early boundaries.

He and fellow left-hander opener Tom Haines seemed in control early on until Haines slashed a Dan Worrall delivery to Lawes at midwicket, who took a smart catch above his head.

From the end of the sixth over through to the 11th, with Tom Alsop at the crease, Surrey conceded just three runs, but the home batters managed to remain composed during this sustained spell of pressure.

But Clark continued his good start and began to dominate England bowler Jamie Overton with two immaculate cover drives in the space of four balls, before another flick off the pads two overs later. 

Sussex, via Clark and Tom Alsop, who also looked good, reached the close, as bad light stopped play. 

Report written by Will Kirkup

Day two will resume tomorrow at 11am, with gates open from 10am. Entry is free for all spectators.