Alfie Pyle and Liam O'Brien Star for England 

Sussex's Alfie Pyle and Liam O'Brien starred for the England Mixed Disability Team as they kicked off a seven-match IT20 series against India with a 65-run win.

Player of the Match, Alfie Pyle, picked up 2-23, while Liam O'Brien's contribution of 64 runs in a partnership of 122 with skipper Callum Flynn, ensured England kicked off the series in style. 

Match Report

England Men's Mixed Disability team began their historic Vitality IT20 series against India with a convincing 65-run win at the Cooper Associates Ground, Taunton.

Being put into bat by the visitors, England made a positive start through opener Josh Price, who hit 14 from 12 balls before falling to India's Vivek Kumar. 

A 122-run partnership between captain Callum Flynn and Liam O'Brien then put England in control. Flynn scored 70, while O'Brien added 68, with both batters benefiting from a few dropped chances early in their innings. 

Chris Edwards added a quick 9 off 4 balls to push England to 182 for 5 from their 20 overs.

India started their chase well, reaching 45 without loss in the first five overs. The breakthrough came when Edwards came armed with ball in hand, taking two wickets in his first over. England tightened their grip with three run-outs, applying pressure in the field.

India captain, Ravindra Sante, hit 14 from his first five balls but was caught in the 14th over for 24, leaving too much for his team to do as England's Alfie Pyle took 3 for 23 mopping up the tail. India fell short of the target by 65 runs.

The second match of the series will take place at Wormsley on Monday, 23 June at 5pm.

Mixed Disability Vitality IT20 Series

Saturday 21 June: 1st Mixed Disability Vitality IT20: England Men’s Mixed Disability won by 65 runs.

Monday 23 June: 2nd Mixed Disability Vitality IT20: England Men’s Mixed Disability v India Men’s Mixed Disability, Wormsley, 5pm

Wednesday 25 June: 3rd Mixed Disability Vitality IT20: England Men’s Mixed Disability v India Men’s Mixed Disability, Lord's, 3.30pm

Friday 27 June: 4th Mixed Disability Vitality IT20: England Men’s Mixed Disability v India Men’s Mixed Disability, Worcester, 12pm

Sunday 29 June: 5th Mixed Disability Vitality IT20: England Men’s Mixed Disability v India Men’s Mixed Disability, Worcester, 2.30pm

Tuesday 1 July: 6th Mixed Disability Vitality IT20: England Men’s Mixed Disability v India Men’s Mixed Disability, Bristol, 2pm

Thursday 3 July: 7th Mixed Disability Vitality IT20: England Men’s Mixed Disability v India Men’s Mixed Disability, Bristol, 6.30pm

It's a return to the red ball for Paul Farbrace's Sussex side for the next fortnight, starting with a lengthy voyage to the Seat Unique Riverside Stadium in Durham as they look to continue their fine form to life back in Division One.

It was roughly a month ago when Sussex last played in the competition, and what a fine match it was as Sussex cruised to a nine-wicket win over their neighbours. Henry Crocombe returned and was exceptional. John Simpson smashed a century. And Jack Carson took a fifer to wrap things up. 

After seven matches, Sussex sit in third position - 20 points off top spot.

The Opposition

But now the spotlight swivels onto our northernmost county: Durham. They, too, have enjoyed a promising start with two wins and three losses. Graham Clark and Alex Lees have been their finest batters of the campaign to date, with the pair racking up almost 1000 runs between them this season. The perenially potent Colin Ackermann, too, helps bolster both their batting and bowling attack.

But it's been Ben Raine and Matthew Potts that have taken the most scalps thus far, with the latter eying a route back into the England Test squad.

Squad

Paul Farbrace has selected a 14-player squad for the journey to Durham.

Gurinder Sandhu makes his debut for the county after agreeing terms in the winter, whilst Ollie Robinson returns to the squad.

Archer, Carson, Carter, Clark, Coles, Crocombe, Haines, Hudson-Prentice, Hughes, Ibrahim, Karvelas, Robinson, Sandhu, Simpson* (wk)

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. 

Alexia Walker's Sharks return to action on Vitality Blast action on Sunday as they host Kent Women at the 1st Central County Ground.

In a close match - and one that demonstrated the side's vast improvement - the Sharks suffered a narrow defeat to Glamorgan in their previous Blast match by a mere 5 runs. That was the third time they've faced each other this season already, and every match has finished increasingly closer. 

It leaves the Sharks in third position in the Vitality Blast Women League Two South Group, having won one and lost two from their opening three matches.

The Opposition

Kent Women, too, make the short hop across the county border holding a similar record: played two, won one, lost one. Kent have already headed to Hove this season, where a brilliant Mollie Adams knock of 76 and a fine bowling displayed helped Sussex to a 42-run victory in the Metro Bank One Day Cup.

Kent's last match was an impressive win over Gloucestershire in Bristol last week, with Amy Gordon and Elsa Barnfather showing brilliance with the bat to help them to a hefty total. 

Squad

Alexia Walker has picked a 13-player squad for the match with Kent Women tomorrow:

Mollie Adams, Anna Buckle, Izzy Collis, Kali-Ann Docherty, Indigo Gentry, Chiara Green, Nancy Harman*, Tia Joseph, Rachel King, Anna Lewis, Eve O’Neill, Talitha Stanley, Jazz Westley

Ticket Information

It's set to be another scorcher at Hove tomorrow and with tickets starting from £10, it's the perfect excuse to spend the day in the sun supporting the Sharks. Click here to purchase your tickets today.

Entry is free for all Blast Pass holders, and Sixes is FREE.

There will also be a foundation women's softball tournament on the outfield prior to the match.

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 3pm. 

Sussex World Blog: Mollie Adams 

The Sussex Sharks Women return to T20 Blast action at The 1st Central County Ground this Sunday, welcoming Kent to Hove, and ahead of that crunch fixture, wicket-keeper batter Mollie Adams penned an exclusive blog for Sussex World.

Mollie discusses everything from playing for Sussex at Hove, what she loves about the city of Brighton and the positive changes happening in the world of Women's cricket.

Read the full blog by clicking here. 

We are currently experiencing issues with our email system, which unfortunately means we cannot respond to incoming emails.

We are working quickly to resolve the issue and will respond to any enquiries as soon as we can. We apologise for any inconvenience this may cause. 

If you have an urgent enquiry, please call 01273 827100.

The Sussex Cricket Team. 

Well, it's been a promising start to the 2025 Vitality Blast campaign for Paul Farbrace's Sharks who currently sit a mere two points adrift of South Group leaders Somerset after six matches.

A touch fortuitous with the weather against Essex last week, and signs of rustiness were swiftly dismissed a day later following an emphatic victory over Glamorgan. But what stands in the way of moving to the top is a Surrey outfit who are similarly heading in the right direction.

The Opposition 

You feel things are just starting to shift in the right direction for Surrey following a rickety start to this year's Blast campaign. Early defeats to Somerset and Hampshire have since been pushed to the back of the mind, with Surrey victorious in each of their previous three matches - including a comprehensive victory last night in Hampshire.

With the bat Jason Roy has started beautifully: 265 runs at an average of 44.16, whilst Laurie Evans has also found form with the willow in hand - particularly against Kent. And with the ball, Chris Jordan and Sam Curran have been most formidable - the pair taking 17 wickets between them. 

Previous Encounters

The Sharks have enjoyed recent success at Kia Oval, winning there in the previous two seasons. Surrey have, however, won on their two most recent trips to Hove in T20, too.

Over the years, the two sides have met on 41 occasions in T20 cricket. Surrey edge the head-to-head with 20 victories to Sussex's 15. Five have been no result, and one was tied. 

Team News

Farbrace has named a 13-player squad for tonight's match at the Kia Oval.

Squad: Carson, Clark, Coles, Crocombe, Currie, Foreman, Hudson-Prentice, Hughes, Lamb, McAndrew, Mills, Simpson* (wk), Thomas

Harrison Ward and Tom Alsop miss out through injury, whilst Ollie Robinson is rested. Fynn Hudson-Prentice has been recalled from his loan spell at Derbyshire, and is in today's squad.

Start Time

Today's match is part of a doubleheader, with Surrey Women facing Lancashire Women beforehand at 2pm. Our match will commence shortly after the game's conclusion, at 6.30pm.

How to Watch

You will be able to watch every ball, free of charge, of the Surrey clash 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.

Ticket Information

Tickets are still available for tonight's clash in the capital, and can be bought via Surrey's offical website.

Sussex Re-Sign T20 Blast Record Holder Danny Briggs 

Sussex Cricket is delighted to announce the signing of Danny Briggs from Warwickshire on a three-year contract. Danny will join up with Sussex at the end of the 2025 season.

Briggs, who previously played for Sussex between 2016 and 2020, will be available for selection in the Vitality T20 Blast, whilst also becoming part of the coaching set up to work with the Club’s spinners.

One of the most accomplished white-ball bowlers in the country, Briggs holds the record as the leading wicket-taker in Vitality Blast history, with an impressive 246 wickets. 

He was also a key figure in Hampshire’s golden run to six consecutive Finals Days between 2010 and 2016. 

Briggs has continued to consistently amass wickets in the Blast for the Bears, claiming 29 scalps as they reached the quarter-finals last season.

Speaking on returning to Hove, Briggs, said: “I’m really looking forward to coming back to Sussex, it’s a really talented and exciting squad playing some great cricket. 

"Hopefully I can help contribute to plenty of wins and trophies along the way. Hove is a special ground and I can’t wait to return.”

Sussex’s Director of Cricket, Paul Farbrace, added: “I’m delighted that Danny has agreed to come back to Hove and help us to challenge to win the T20 Blast and also play a leading role in helping to develop our spin bowlers. 

“Danny is not only a top professional and has shown his skills on the field for a long period of time, but he is one of the best humans you will ever come across and will be a fantastic addition to our playing group and coaching group.”

Sussex Sharks completed a double over Glamorgan thanks to 6 for 21 from Nathan McAndrew to give the visitors a 27-run win at Sophia Gardens.

A strong all round performance kept Sussex occupying an all-important top spot in the South Group of the Vitality Blast at the halfway stage.

Harrison Ward set the tone for the innings for Sussex with 55 from 24 balls inside the powerplay despite appearing to pull a muscle in the innings which prevented him from fielding. All of Sussex’s top order contributed to send them to 199 for 7.

Nathan McAndrew backed up Sussex’s first innings for an all-round winning display returning 6 for 21 despite Dan Douthwaite’s quickfire 40 from three wickets inside six balls and Colin Ingram’s 21-ball 37 kept Glamorgan in the chase before they fell to 172 all out.

Sussex began strongly after opting to bat first with the sun still beating down at Sophia Gardens. Ward’s season best despite being hampered came through a liking to Timm van der Gugten, taking 22 from the third over.

Ward’s striking continued, particularly with destructive hitting straight and over deep-mid-wicket, reaching a half-century in just 20 balls, his knock been and gone inside the powerplay thanks to van der Gugten getting his revenge with a bouncer.

The soaring powerplay was helped to continue in the same vain with John Simpson finding his rhythm to a well-managed 41 from 26 balls from five off seven. Similarly Coles, who has helped the Sharks to three wins with two unbeaten half-century knocks already this season had a license to free himself as he did, taking Mason Crane for 19 in an over on his way to a useful cameo.

The Sussex scoring didn’t let up with 10-an-over the norm after the second over until the late fightback with three wickets in four balls courtesy of Glamorgan top wicket-taker Crane and Dan Douthwaite in the 18th and 19th over.

New overseas Imad Wasim impressed on debut for Glamorgan and was pick of the bowlers, being the most restrictive in the powerplay and brought a wicket at an important time while the other spinners also played key parts with wickets and economy between them.

In reply, Glamorgan struggled to string a partnership together when chasing their highest total so far this season.

The hosts didn’t find the same destructive powerplay prowess as the Sharks did, however a free-flowing Ben Kellaway added to the newfound form of Ingram made sure run-rate was never an issue.

Kellaway’s early retirement set a halt for Glamorgan when he reverse-swept a ball into his helmet after the youngster already damaging internationals Ollie Robinson and Tymal Mills early in his innings with stand-and-deliver style swats down the ground and exquisite cover-driving.

The two South Africans kept Glamorgan afloat until Kellaway’s return at the dismissal of Chris Cooke. Shortly after saw the two accelerators, Ingram and Kellaway, dismissed in the same over by McAndrew, conceding just three from the 12th over.

Douthwaite entered with the equation: 93 from 8.3 overs, immediately after the mini-collapse. The all-action all-rounder, together with Asa Tribe had already put on an unbeaten 64 partnership to see them home from an unlikely position in their T20 opener. Douthwaite’s five sixes in an 18-ball innings, left the equation at 41 to win from 3.5 overs.

A collapse came once more with Glamorgan going out swinging in an unlikely attempt to chase after Douthwaite’s dismissal, giving McAndrew three wickets in the 19th and eventual final over.

By Blake Bint, ECB Reporters Network supported by Rothesay.

Sharks vs Essex: Guide to the Game

The Blast is back at The 1st Central County Ground tonight, with the Men's team taking on Essex under the lights! To help you plan your evening with us, we've created a Guide to the Game, with all the info you need ahead of your trip to Hove.

From information on when to arrive, to what you can and catch bring into the game, plus the squad lists for both teams and more, our Guide to the Game is a must-read before you head to the ground. Read the Guide to Game.

Ticket Information

Tickets are still available to purchase for the game and with 90% already sold, we highly recommend you act quickly and book your tickets before making your way to the game. Plus, if you fancy a cheeky upgrade, why not check out our new Silly Point Pub package.

Want to know more? Head to our Blast is Back page to explore your ticketing options for tonight! 

Sixes Social Cricket

If you've been to the ground recently you may have noticed our very own Sixes Social Cricket bar. If you haven't, then where have you been?! 

Our Sixes Social Cricket Bar will open for the duration of the match. Full to the brim with fantastic food and drink to fuel you up with the net session of your dreams. Take on the Sussex Sharks stars and test your six-hitting skills.

Head to the bar, located behind the Webtrends Optimize Sharks Stand tomorrow to book your net. 

Plus, if you fancy a cheeky drink after the game, Sixes will remain open until 1030pm.

Don't Forget to Bring Your 1st Central Hair Headband!

Sussex Cricket and 1st Central have teamed up to give Sharks fans who re-use their 1st Central Hairy Headbands at a Blast game the chance to win a mystery prize!

As Sharks fans will know, we have been giving out free 1st Central Hairy Headbands at Blast games for the past few seasons, and in the spirit of sustainability, we have partnered with 1st Central to incentivise supporters to re-use their Hairy Headbands at future games.

Tonight at The 1st Central County Ground, fans who arrive with their headbands at the gate will be given a free raffle ticket and the chance to win a mystery prize. 

Fans who attend games will still be able to pick up headbands free of charge and will also be able to give a small donation, if possible, to the Sussex Cricket Foundation.

Sensory, Inclusion and Quiet Room

Sussex is proud to have opened its very own Sensory, Inclusion and Quiet Room. Our Sensory Room is a safe and relaxed environment where supporters who may need time away from the main seating areas to enjoy the game from. If you feel you may require this service, please approach a member of staff tonight. 

After a short break it's back-to-back matches for the Sharks, starting this coming Friday with Essex making the journey down to Sussex before an immediate trip to Wales follows to face Glamorgan as we look to continue our fine start to the Blast campaign.

It was another blistering performance for Paul Farbrace's Sharks last time out, chiefly with the ball in hand, as a Nathan McAndrew fifer proved the catalyst in helping skittle Glamorgan all out for just 117 - the second time Tymal Mills' bowling attack has taken maximum wickets in this fresh Vitality Blast season.

And they'll look to make it four wins from five on Friday evening as an Essex side, unusually struggling for form, head down to Hove.

The Opposition | Essex (H) - Friday, 13th

Essex's opening match of the Blast campaign has somewhat set the tone thus far after suffering a heavy 106-run defeat to Hampshire. They'd lose to Somerset shortly after, before Glamorgan and Middlesex both inflicted defeats in relatively routine style to condemn Essex to a winless start from their opening four matches.

Mohammad Amir returns for his second spell at the Chelmsford-based club as the frontline bowler, accompanied by the ever-present and ever-reliable Simon Harmer, with Sam Cook and Shane Snater completing the seam attack. Michael Pepper has scored 118 runs from the opening four matches, and is his side's leading run scorer in the competition this season.

Essex make the long jaunt to Glamorgan this evening as they look to gain some momentum ahead of their immediate journey to Sussex a day later. 

The Opposition | Glamorgan (A) - Saturday, 14th

And just a day later for the Sharks, it's a trip to the aforementioned Welsh club, too, for Farbrace's Sharks as Glamorgan similarly look to get their campaign back on course at Sophia Gardens.

This fixtures comes just six days after Sussex romped to a rampant victory over them, comfortably cruising to a 78-run win that featured a fine bowling display alongside excellent knocks from Harrison Ward, James Coles and Tom Alsop.

Right-handed bat Kiran Carlson is off to another promising start, already racking up 152 runs from his four innings out in the middle. With the ball, Glamorgan have found most success through Dan Douthwaite, who has eight scalps thus far.

And as our next two opponents face off against each other tonight, it provides valuable viewing with both teams out of form and in search of points.

Team News

Farbrace has named a 14-player squad for the next two Vitality Blast fixtures.

Squad: Alsop, Carson, Clark, Coles, Crocombe, Currie, Hughes, Lamb, McAndrew, Mills, Robinson, Simpson* (wk), Thomas, Ward

In case you missed it, Fynn Hudson-Prentice has joined Derbyshire for the next few Vitality Blast matches.

Start Time

Against Essex, the match will get underway at 7pm on Friday, with gates opening at 5.30pm. On Saturday, it'll be a 6.30pm start time at Sophia Gardens.

How to Watch

You will be able to watch every ball, free of charge, of the Essex clash 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.

Our trip to Glamorgan a day later will be shown live on Sky Sports Cricket, and so will not be available to watch on our Match Centre.

Ticket Information

There is still time to get your tickets for tomorrow's action and we have a range of products for you to choose from. From our new exclusive Silly Point Pub, to Curry and Cricket packages, there is something for everyone! Head to our Blast is Back homepage to explore your options and get your tickets.

For our trip to Wales on Saturday, you can purchase tickets on Glamorgan's website via this link.