By Jon Culley, ECB Reporters Network supported by Rothesay

Sussex kicked off their 2026 Rothesay County Championship season in style, with an emphatic 222-run victory over Leicestershire at Uptonsteel Grace Road.

Ollie Robinson’s team arrived at Uptonsteel Grace Road at a 12-point disadvantage compared with the other Division One counties as a condition of the financial framework agreed with the England and Wales Cricket Board over the winter.

But after Leicestershire fell well short of the mammoth 481 last-innings target needed to pull off an unlikely win, Sussex take 22 points to climb out of the bottom two at the first attempt.

At 125 for five overnight, defeat for Leicestershire was only a matter of time. Stevie Eskinazi (54) and Ben Cox (60) shared a 103-run sixth-wicket stand to help keep the contest going beyond lunch, before Sussex wrapped up the win by bowling the home side out for 258 in the fifth over of the afternoon, pace bowler Henry Crocombe taking four for 36 for match figures of nine for 69.

It was a victory their dominance of the match fully merited, following a century for Tom Clark and five wickets each for Robinson and Crocombe in the first innings, before Jack Carson and Tom Price, who enjoyed an excellent debut following his winter move from Gloucestershire, snuffed out any prospect of a Leicestershire fightback with a 119-run stand in the second innings.

Still 356 runs from their target when the fourth day began, Eskinazi and Cox put into practice exactly what the former had spoken of on the third evening, namely putting the expected result to one side and simply trying to win individual battles and build confidence.

Although Cox was dropped by James Coles at slip off Price on 26 in the fourth over of the morning, the pair frustrated Sussex for almost an hour and a half before a breakthrough was made.

On a wicket now offering a degree of turn, albeit slow turn, they faced spinners Coles and Jack Carson in tandem for a dozen overs, yet both notched their first half-centuries of the season, Eskinazi’s off 122 balls with eight fours, Cox more briskly, facing 82 balls and finding seven boundaries.

From the home side’s point of view, anticipating the fillip of a wicketless session, it was a disappointment that when Fynn Hudson-Prentice replaced Carson at the Bennett End, Eskinazi’s concentration lapsed for probably the first time.

The delivery came back in a little but Eskinazi’s response seemed to lack conviction, the ball deflecting off an inside edge into the stumps.

The pair had added 103 in 36 overs, the best Leicestershire partnership of the contest. As often happens, though, one wicket brought another for Sussex, Hudson-Prentice tempting Cox into a pull that found Carson on the square-leg boundary.

Coles had Tom Scriven caught at leg slip but at 244 for eight at lunch it was only a matter of how much longer Leicestershire could resist.  In the event, only four overs and one ball longer as Sam Wood was caught at gully fending off a Crocombe bouncer and Ben Green hooked to square leg.

Sussex had put down a marker in the first session of the opening day, punishing a depleted Leicestershire attack who were given early notice that, however impressive they were in winning the Division Two title last summer, there is little margin for error at the higher level.

Clark built on that flying start before Robinson and Crocombe combined to dismiss Leicestershire for 245 despite Australian Test opener Jake Weatherland’s 83 on debut.

By Jon Culley, ECB Reporters Network supported by Rothesay

Sussex are poised to claim a morale-boosting first-round victory after day three of their Rothesay County Championship clash with Leicestershire left the home side on the ropes.

Chasing a fourth-innings target of 481 after Sussex were bowled out for 364 in their second innings, the 2025 Division Two champions were 125 for five at the close, still 355 in arrears.

Eager to start with a win after beginning the season with a 12-point deficit imposed as a condition of an ECB financial framework, Sussex had Jack Carson (85) and Tom Price (73) to thank for keeping them in control, the pair sharing a stand of 119 for the seventh wicket. Rehan Ahmed and Ian Holland took three wickets each for the home side.

Leicestershire had hoped they might be chasing a fourth-innings target somewhat less daunting after picking up three wickets in the first 10 overs of the morning, leaving Sussex 182 for six, only for Carson and Price to re-establish their side’s superiority.

Ben Green had struck in his second over, a lovely delivery that hit the top of off stump to remove the threat of James Coles. Green picked up a second as Stephen Eskinazi held a good catch at second slip to dismiss Jack Leaning, who added just six to his first-innings 13 on debut.

With the departure of John Simpson in the next over, Holland winning a perhaps generous lbw decision, Sussex’s lead stood at 298, a decent advantage but small enough for Leicestershire to consider themselves in the game.

With a depleted attack, though, it was an optimistic position they could not sustain, as Carson and Price responded with a partnership that underlined off-spinner Carson’s progress as a batter and consolidated the good impression already being made by Price following his move from Gloucestershire.

The pair stretched the Sussex lead beyond 400. Carson, who made his maiden first-class century against Worcestershire last May, looked to have a second in his grasp, what’s more having walked out as nightwatchman on Saturday. Being denied by Rishi Patel, a part-time spinner, must have hurt.

Nonetheless, after facing 140 deliveries and hitting seven fours, he had ensured Sussex retained all the cards. Ex-Gloucestershire all-rounder Price swelled his debut match aggregate to 116 with an innings of 10 fours before pulling Holland to midwicket.

With a lead already in excess of 450, a declaration at that point would have seemed reasonable. As it was, Robinson let the innings run its natural course. Ahmed picked up the last two wickets as Robinson was caught behind reverse-sweeping and Henry Crocombe stumped, leaving Fynn Hudson-Prentice not out on 34.

After tea between innings, Leicestershire faced some full-on aggression, at least at the start of the 38 overs remaining in the day. Patel, who likes to meet fire with fire, always has the potential to be an early casualty and was again, although not in the way that might have been predicted - run out by a sensational piece of fielding by Carson, who not only saved four on the slide on the long-leg boundary but capped it off by running out the opener with a direct hit on to the stumps as he went for a second.

Before an hour had elapsed, Leicestershire were 52 for four. Carson, into the attack after seven overs, had Holland well taken at short midwicket; Jake Weatherald launched Carson for six over long-on but was soon caught behind slashing at Crocombe, whose next ball dismissed Lewis Hill at third slip, last season’s leading Leicestershire run scorer bagging a pair.

Eskinazi and Ahmed stemmed the flow of wickets for 10 overs before Ahmed, having moments earlier survived a difficult caught-and-bowled chance off the same bowler, injudiciously gave James Coles the charge and was stumped.

Assisted now by Ben Cox, Eskinazi plotted a route to the close with no further mishap, although Cox, on 16, survived a chance to second slip off Carson.

By Jon Culley, ECB Reporters Network supported by Rothesay

Ollie Robinson’s pitch for an England recall could hardly have gone better as he and fellow pace bowler Henry Crocombe took five wickets each to keep Sussex firmly in control against Leicestershire in the Rothesay County Championship.

Looking lean and hungry, Sussex’s newly-appointed red-ball captain took five for 42 from 16 overs, with 24-year-old Crocombe backing him up with an impressive career-best five for 33 from 12 as the home side were bowled out for 245, conceding a lead of 116.

Daniel Hughes, dropped twice, gave the Sussex second innings the start they wanted by making an assertive 72 as they finished on 149 for three, stretching their advantage to 265.

Jake Weatherald, the Australian Test opener, marked his Leicestershire debut with a watchable 83 but found meagre support and it was only an 81-run eighth-wicket partnership between Ben Cox (44) and Ben Green (43 not out) that saved the Division Two champions from following on in their first match back in the top flight.

Robinson and Crocombe had begun by reducing Leicestershire from 15 for one overnight in reply to Sussex’s 361 to 139 for five at lunch, despite Weatherald making an impressive impact.

The left-hander, a last-minute Foxes addition after captain Peter Handscomb’s decision to miss the 2026 season for family reasons, won appreciative applause for his driving from the home crowd. His half-century came off only 65 balls.

At the other end, though, it was a different story, at least in the final six overs of the session. Up to that point, at 117 for two, Leicestershire had seemed to be building a decent reply. Their only casualty, in addition to the loss of opener Rishi Patel on Friday evening, had been nightwatchman Tom Scriven, lbw to Robinson.

Robinson, who last played Test cricket more than two years ago, was bowling nicely but it was a spell by Crocombe, a right-armer still trying to ally consistency with undoubted pace, that did the most telling damage, removing three of Leicestershire’s middle order in the space of 13 deliveries. Ray Baker, the England bowling scout in attendance here, would have been impressed.

Ian Holland, who had looked relatively comfortable in adding 77 with Weatherald for the third wicket, was caught at third slip off a slightly loose shot, but if his dismissal had an element of batter error, that could not be said of the fate of Rehan Ahmed and Lewis Hill.

Both perished trying to defend quick, skilful deliveries, Ahmed caught behind to one that nipped back and took the outside edge, Hill bowled by one that straightened to beat his block and uproot off stump.

What was turning into a profitable phase for Sussex continued after lunch as Stephen Eskinazi edged to third slip, his dismissal followed in the same Robinson spell by the one the visitors most wanted as Weatherald, who had moved to 83, made a rare misjudgment and chopped on.

At this point, at 154 for seven, the deficit was a yawning 207. A fightback of sorts followed as the resilient Cox and the canny all-rounder Green combined. Cox in time became Robinson’s fifth victim, but not until the eighth-wicket pair had at least averted the follow-on.
Crocombe now took over from Robinson and finished the innings with two wickets in two balls, having Sam Wood caught behind before Yadvinder Singh’s so-far inauspicious debut continued with a first-ball leg before.

It left Sussex with 33 overs in the final session to build on their advantage. They lost Tom Haines, caught at first slip for 13, and first-innings centurion Tom Clark for 16, taken by Patel as the only slip, but Australian left-hander Hughes rode his luck, put down on 24 at extra cover and 29 at slip, on the way to 72 from 97 balls, including nine fours and two sixes, before being bowled by Ahmed, with a ball that turned and kept low.
 

By Jon Culley, ECB Reporters Network supported by Rothesay

Tom Clark took full advantage of being dropped in single figures to make an opening-day century for the second season in a row as visitors Sussex made an impressive 361 after being asked to bat first against promoted Leicestershire.

The tall left-hander, who struck 140 against Warwickshire in his first innings of the 2025 Rothesay County Championship campaign, made 101 against the Division Two champions, having been put down in the slips on six.

Opener Tom Haines, a possible contender for England’s top-order after making a good impression for England Lions in Australia, began his domestic campaign with an eye-catching half-century, with all-rounder Tom Price chipping in a useful 43 on debut after his move from Gloucestershire.   Ben Green (three for 54) was the best of the Leicestershire attack, backed up by skipper Ian Ian Holland (three for 79). 

Faced with four overs at the close, Leicestershire lost opener Rishi Patel, caught behind off Ollie Robinson, Sussex’s new skipper and another with his eyes on the England side, to finish on 15 for one.

Sussex started the season with a 12-point deduction as a consequence of needing an ECB bailout following heavy financial losses. They will see this match as an opportunity to make early inroads into that deficit, to which end they should be well pleased with their day.

More so given that the pitch at Uptonsteel Grace Road looked as bowler-friendly as might have been anticipated on the opening day of the season, even if Sussex’s 154 for two at lunch might suggest otherwise.

Leicestershire’s preparations have been hit by a rash of injuries among their seamers. New signing Josh Davey is sidelined along with Ben Mike, Alex Green and Josh Hull.  Yet those absences could be offered only as a partial excuse for Sussex’s profitable morning. Holland and the experienced Green would have been picked even from a full squad, as probably would have Tom Scriven.

The Sussex batters chose to be aggressive from the outset. They rode their luck at times, most notably when Leicestershire’s debutant Australian Test batter Jake Weatherald, at third slip, handed Clark his escape by spilling a regulation catch off Holland, but generally missed few opportunities, of which plenty were on offer.  

Sussex were 57 from 5.5 overs when Dan Hughes was well caught at third man in Green’s opening over. They had 100 on the board in the 15th over and 136 in the 25th was none too shabby as Haines, chasing a wide delivery, became their second casualty, was caught behind.

Haines had reached his half-century in 52 balls, the first in the country to that mark. Clark’s took 70 deliveries, numbering seven fours and two sixes.

The afternoon reflected more favourably on the home attack, for whom Holland and Green were excellent, Sam Wood claimed a deserved wicket and Rehan Ahmed found some turn to remove the threat posed by John Simpson, who scored almost 400 runs in the last two matches between these counties. 

Wood’s scalp was that of James Coles, who bottom-edged an expansive drive into his stumps; Holland pinned Sussex debutant Jack Leaning in front and, switching to the pavilion end for the first time, drew Clark into a forward defensive that saw him caught behind by Ben Cox, standing up; England’s leg-spinning all-rounder Ahmed had Simpson leg before.  

Clark’s hundred came off 160 balls, with nine fours and four sixes.  Sussex added 108 in the session, but at a cost of four wickets as they slipped from 192 for two to 262 for six.

Price, who hit seven boundaries, advanced the Sussex cause after tea before Yadvinder Singh’s perseverance was rewarded with an lbw verdict.

Former Worcestershire right-armer Singh, who has been signed on a short-term contract, had a nightmare start after being trusted with the new ball at the pavilion end, conceding 25 in two overs. 
  
Fynn Hudson-Prentice’s 33, after being dropped on five, secured the third batting bonus point.

The long, long winter comes to a close as county cricket returns. Yesterday's news of Head Coach Paul Farbrace announcing his departure at the end of the campaign completed an offseason marred with challenges, but that's all been pushed into the past as Friday marks the opening day of the County Championship schedule, with Leicestershire the destination. 

And there is real optimism about the squad and the season. There's been some re-shuffling behind the scenes, too, with John Simpson moving to a Club Captain role as Ollie Robinson steps up to lead the side in the County Championship. Farbrace remains committed for the duration of the campaign, and has built a squad he is confident can lift the Division One title.

Team News

Paul Farbrace has confirmed a 14-player squad for the trip up to Leicester, with Dan Hughes returning to the XI following his recent arrival from Australia. New arrivals Tom Price and Jack Leaning are in the squad for the first time, with Robinson ready to captain the side.

Bowlers Sean Hunt and Dom Goodman both miss out on the squad through injury. 

Squad: Carson, Clark, Coles, Crocombe, Haines, Hudson-Prentice, Hughes, Ibrahim, Lamb, Leaning, Price, Robinson (c), Simpson, Tear

New for 2026, you can sponsor our players or coaches! Have your company name included on squad lists in our Match Preview articles. To find out more, visit https://sussexcricket.co.uk/player-coach-sponsorship

The Opposition 

A bustling winter of ins and outs for the Division Two champions who will feel they have strengthened both with the bat and the ball. They're on the up, literally, having finished clear at the top of the table by 48 points. Ben Green, Stephen Ezkinazi, Jonny Tattersall, Josh Davey and Yadvinder Singh have all joined the Midlands club, though Davey is a doubt for this fixture.

Leicestershire's seam attack has been rocked a little in recent weeks, as Josh Hull, Ben Mike and Alex Green all join Davey as unlikely to feature. Overseas Peter Handscomb has announced he won't play any part in this season due to personal reasons, signing Jake Weatherald as a replacement for the opening six games.

Kiwi spinner Ajaz Patel is another overseas signing for Alfonso Thomas' side.

How to Watch

You will be available to watch all four days of our season opener via Leicestershire's YouTube channel, or you can join us at the Uptonsteel County Ground by purchasing your tickets here. 

Paul Farbrace to step down as Sussex Head Coach at end of 2026 season

Sussex Cricket can confirm that Head Coach Paul Farbrace has informed the Club of his decision to step down at the end of the 2026 season.

With the Club navigating a period of change off the field, Farbrace believes the end of this season represents the right time to step down.

“I felt it was important to give the Club clarity now as it plans for the future.

“My focus is entirely on the next six months. We have a fantastic opportunity this season and I will be giving everything, every day, to help this group be as successful as possible. I remain fully committed to leading the team throughout the campaign.”

Farbrace, who joined Sussex in December 2022, has overseen a period of significant progress. After narrowly missing out on promotion in 2023, Sussex secured a return to Division One of the County Championship in 2024 with a game to spare, before finishing fourth in their first season back in the top tier.

The Club also reached T20 Finals Day in 2024, while building a talented and competitive squad combining emerging young players with experienced professionals.

“I’ve thoroughly enjoyed my time at Sussex and it has been a privilege to work with such a talented group of players and staff.

“We’ve made significant progress together and built a squad that I believe is capable of achieving something special. That makes this a difficult decision, but it is one I feel is right all round.”

On behalf of the Board, Club President Sir Rod Aldridge said:

“While we are naturally disappointed that Paul has decided to step down, we fully respect his decision. He remains fully committed to the season ahead, and we look forward to working together to build on the progress that has been made.”

Paul has made a significant contribution during his time at Sussex, both in terms of results on the field and in developing a strong and competitive squad. He has been a valued figure at the Club and we are grateful for his commitment.”

Mark West, Interim Chief Executive Officer, said:

“Paul has been a great support to me since day one and we have always been aligned in how we’ve approached things.

“He has led the team through a period of real progress, both in terms of results and in developing a squad that supporters can be proud of. His professionalism, honesty and commitment to the Club have been clear throughout.

Farbrace will continue to lead Sussex throughout the 2026 season, with the team beginning their County Championship campaign on Friday, away at Leicestershire.

It's been touched upon on our social media and in a few web articles over the winter, but it has come to our attention that there was no official announcement that Dan Hughes would be returning to Sussex this summer.

Well, he's back! Following a fruitful winter that saw him play plenty of cricket over in Australia - including opening in the Big Bash League - Hughes arrived yesterday afternoon and is available for selection for the season opener with Leicestershire. 

This is his third season as a Sussex overseas player. Last year he couldn’t quite match his performances in 2024 – the highlight finishing as the leading run scorer in the Vitality Blast – but he still made 815 Championship runs and will no doubt be looking to build on this for the forthcoming season.

Welcome back, Hughesy!

Our fourth and final pre-season fixture takes place this weekend as Hampshire make the short trip along the coast for a two-day friendly at Hove.

The sides last faced off in the County Championship in September, with the rain-interrupted match ending in a draw at Hove. Sussex won the reverse fixture in Southampton last season, with Club Captain John Simpson's magnificent century helping Sussex to a 9-wicket victory.

Entry is FREE for all of our pre-season matches, with no ticket purchase required.

Also, the North East Gate will not be open during pre-season. Access to The County Ground, Hove is via the Main Entrance, situated on Eaton Road.

Hours of Play 

Day 1 and 2:

• Session One: 11:00am – 1:00pm
• Session Two: 1:40pm – 3:40pm
• Session Three: 4:00pm – 6:00pm (light permitting)

Gates will open an hour and a half before each day commences.

How to Watch

We are not live streaming our pre-season friendlies, with light updates on social media. You can follow the action via our online scorecard in our Match Centre - which will be live on Saturday morning.

You will need to register for a free account to access the replays and live scorecard.

Team News

Paul Farbrace has named a 12-player squad for the upcoming friendly against Hampshire. Academy players Louie Lawrence and Ramsay Trainer both feature.

Squad

Tear, Carter (wk), Ibrahim, Thomas, Leaning, Hudson-Prentice, Lawrence, Carson (C), Lamb, Trainer, Henry, Oosthuizen.

'This Girl Can - Be Inspired' Comes to Hove

On Friday 20th March, the Sussex Cricket Foundation (SCF) supported and hosted Brighton & Hove City Council at The County Ground, for the third year running of ‘This Girl Can – Be Inspired'. The event was attended by almost 80 year 8 & 9 girls from 7 local Brighton Secondary Schools, and built on the success of previous years, proving a positive and impactful event once again.

The event, run in partnership with the Brighton & Hove City Council – School Games Organiser, SCF and Active Sussex, provides girls with the opportunity to come and take part in workshops around health & wellbeing in sport & physical activity, as well as hearing from inspirational female speakers in sport.

This year Ayscha Woods supported the event in its planning and delivery, and organised a fantastic collaboration between SCF and Sussex Cricket, in a joined-up approach, inviting along Sussex Women’s Head Coach – Alexia Walker, Captain – Chiara Green, and Physio – Alex Myall to attend and deliver an inspirational speech. The three women shared their journey into sport, what it means to them and highlighted the different ways to be involved in sport. 

The students also took part in workshops around how to measure and find the correct sports bra led by Team PeBe and EmPower Health led a workshop on being active and menstrual cycles. 

The girls also took part in student voice activities with their PE teachers to discuss barriers that still impact girls’ participation in sport and physical activity both in and out of school. We know that in Brighton & Hove from our SAWSS survey 2024 that only 15% of secondary age girls said they got 1 hour of physical activity every day in the past 7 days, compared to 27% of boys.

From these student voice activities we will be working with the cities secondary schools to create ‘This Girl Can Brighton and Hove School Pledges’ to break down these barriers and give girls more opportunities to be active.

On the event, Emma Greenough School Games Organiser said; 

These events are so important to give girls the opportunity and space to learn more about how to choose the right sports bra and the effects the menstrual cycle has when you're being active.

"It’s a really positive space for girls to have conversations and ask questions to experts in their fields. Having inspirational speakers from the world of sport, also gives the girls the opportunity to see what they could do after school and why being physically active is so important for your health and wellbeing."

Ayscha Woods, Women & Girls / Diverse Communities Manager for the Foundation said;

It was a delight to support this event in partnership with B&HCC and Active Sussex, and we welcomed the opportunity to host the event again this year at the inspirational venue here at The County Ground, Hove.

"It was brilliant to have Alexia, Chiara and Alex from the Sussex Women’s setup attending and delivering inspirational speeches – speaking so eloquently, naturally and positively about sport, equality and mental health. They are tremendous role models at the club and it was a joy to see the girls attending the event asking questions and getting involved."

"The workshops delivered by Team PeBe and EmPower were highly engaging and I can honestly say that the feedback from the girls was incredible. At the end of the day responses on how the girls were feeling were collected and from 52 responses, 49 reported that they felt ‘positive’ (45) and ‘relieved’ (4). This event aims to make a real, meaningful difference and impact in our local community and I can wholeheartedly say that this event continues to achieve its aim and inspire girls to feel confident in being physically active. We look forward to continuing to collaborate with B&HCC and Active Sussex in the future.”

To find out more about the partners involved in the event, please visit their websites below:

Active Sussex - This Girl Can Sussex network  |  Team PeBe  |  EmPower Health

If you would like to find out more about the opportunities on offer for women & girls across Sussex through the network of cricket clubs, please contact Ayscha Woods: ayscha.woods@sussexcricket.co.uk.