Sussex Spinner Troy Henry Becomes First ACE Graduate to Play Professional Men's Cricket

Troy Henry has today become the first graduate of the ACE Programme to play professional men’s cricket – representing Sussex in the Metro Bank One Day Cup.

Henry, a 21-year-old left arm spinner, joined ACE at its original south London hub at the age of sixteen. He was given a rookie contract by Sussex earlier this year, with the contract extended for a further year in June.

Troy’s selection for today’s game marks a major milestone for ACE, who have agreed a goal to produce ten professional cricketers across the men’s and women’s game over the next five years. Amy Wheeler, a seamer for The Blaze, has also earned a contract extension for next season and has represented both The Blaze and Worcestershire this summer.

After a 75% decline of Black players in English domestic game - and further statistics showing less than 1% of recreational players from the Black community - the ACE Programme was setup by former Surrey and England all-rounder Ebony Rainford-Brent and Surrey County Cricket Club in 2020, with the vision to support diverse talent, from the grassroots to the elite in south London. 

Since then, it has become an independent charity, achieving significant funding from Sport England that has allowed further programmes to be established in Nottingham, Manchester, Birmingham, Bristol, Sheffield, north London and south east London. Over the last five years, ACE has engaged with over 40,000 young people – including 233 that have gone on to be selected for ACE Elite Academies. ACE runs schools’ programmes, community hubs and elite academies in all eight locations. 

Over the next five years, ACE are also targeting accelerated growth in women’s and girls’ cricket – with a goal to have at least 80 female cricketers on its talent pathways by 2030 – and to create an ACE coaches’ network to further reconnect the Black British community to cricket.

As well as Surrey CCC, ACE have enjoyed significant support from across the game, with major partnerships in place with Sport England, ECB and counties across the country. Sky Sports produced a documentary – ACE In the Making – in 2024, documenting part of Troy and Amy’s journey to the professional game.

ACE Founder and Chair Ebony Rainford-Brent MBE said: “Seeing Troy walk out for Sussex today is a massive moment for him and for the ACE Programme. We’re all incredibly proud of the hard work Troy has put in over the last five years and hope his success can be replicated many times over going forward.”

Chevy Green, Director of Programmes at ACE added: “It’s been an honour to support Troy on his cricketing journey over the last five years and to see him walk out for Sussex is an incredibly proud moment for him and everyone associated with the ACE Programme. We all hope that his success can be a template for others to follow in future.”

Troy’s parents, Holly and Harvey Henry, said: “This is a very proud moment for all the family – members are eagerly tuning in from around the world including Guyana and Canada!

“It is a credit to all of Troy’s hard work and determination to reach this point and we are extremely grateful to all the ACE family who have helped him reach this point – and Sussex for making a dream come true.”

Press Release provided by ACE

Sussex Sharks VI Retain Division One Title 

The Sussex Sharks Visually Impaired team have once again been crowned Blind Cricket England and Wales National Champions. Sussex Sharks Vice Captain,  Ian "Tiny" Morris, reflects on yet another trophy for the VI team. 

The Sharks season began with a trip to the capital to face London Metro, this was an intriguing opening fixture as Metro had pipped the Sharks to the title in 2023, with the 2024 title being decided by just one point and the Sharks lifting the trophy. 

Sussex were inserted and on a pitch which was tricky to score on Dan Field declared on himself 99 not out in the 30th over with Sharks claiming full batting points on 205-6. 

The Metro reply could be described as turgid at best making just 58 for 2 in their 30 overs but the inability of the Sharks attack to claim a 3rd wicket meant no bowling points and the game ended with Sharks claiming 10 and Metro 9. Would one point be the difference again this season? 

The Sharks then travelled up to Northants and after winning the toss asked them to have a bat. A steady start saw Northants on 39-0 but when the first wicket fell, they kept falling until the innings closed on 125 all out.

Phil Daniels leading the way with 4 for 17 doing the damage at the top and Mark Bond with 3 for 9  mopping up the tail. 

The Sharks chased the total down in the 16th over with Mark adding to his 3 wickets with 48 not-out off just 38 balls.  

With the Sharks back at "fortress Blackstone" the Somerset game was an almost identical affair. Sharks won the toss, Somerset were inserted, and bowled out for 120. The Sharks then knocked them off in the 17th over just 2 down.  

Phil claimed 5 for 9 in an 8 over spell and Dave Daniels took 3 for 27 making it a family affair. Si Ledwith top scored with 45 and Mark Bond chipped in with another 44 not-out.

So at the halfway point the Sharks looked in great shape but with Metro also winning it was still tight at the top, the season turned when Metro visited Blackstone at the start of July. 

Dan Field continued his hot streak at the toss and gave the visitors the chance to bat first.  Metro limped to 111 and then surprisingly declared to deny the Sharks 2 bowling bonus points. 

Si's 51 not-out meant there were no alarms in the chase and after 12 overs the Sharks were safely home with one hand on the League trophy. 

As with every good cricket season the next game against Northants was washed out by torrential thunderstorms and denied the Sharks the chance to lift the title at Blackstone. 

Northants did the Sharks a massive favour the week after by defeating Metro and ensuring the title would return to Good Old Sussex by the Sea. 

The Sharks final game saw them travel to Somerset and dismiss their hosts for just 72 Phil Daniels leading the attack again with 3  for 4 runs and Callum Weirs 33 not-out seeing the Sharks home inside 10 overs.

This means the Sharks have lifted the title 3 times in 4  years and have lost just one league game in the last 5 seasons. 

Skipper Dan Field said: " I am really proud of the way we have played this season so far, we have used 18 different players and everyone who has come in has worked  for the team. 

"We have smothered teams this year with our relentless bowling attack and our energy in the field."

The Sharks now turn their attention to the two remaining cup competitions where they will face Metro in the Heindrich Swanapoel Memorial Cup at The 1st Central County Ground on the 6th September, followed by  T20 finals day on the 20th September, where they will face Metro again with Lancashire and Somerset in the other Semi final. 

Everybody is forbidden from using the "T word" but of course it is something we aspire to, its a massive game at the real home of cricket on the 6th and we are not looking beyond that.

Free Entry to Watch the Sussex Sharks VI In Cup Final Action

Support the Sussex Sharks VI team as they take on London Metro in the Heindrich Swanapoel Memorial Cup at The 1st Central County Ground on the 6th September.

Entry is completely free of charge, with gates opening at 1130am and the first ball at 1pm. No need to book a ticket, simply turn up on the gate and show your support! 

Sussex Sharks head to Edgbaston tomorrow to take on Warwickshire in their final white-ball match of the 2025 season.

Having lost their last two matches to Yorkshire and Somerset, the Sharks can no longer qualify for the knockout stages of the Metro Bank One-Day Cup. They are currently 5th in Group B, with one match left to play.

Team News

Grant Flower has named a 13-player squad for the trip to Edgbaston, which sees plenty of opportunities for players yet to make an appearance in the competition this season.

Alsop, Carter, Clark, Crocombe, Foreman, Henry, Hunt, Ibrahim, Lamb, Lenham, Oosthuizen, Rogers, Simpson.

The Opposition

Warwickshire currently occupy the third qualifying spot with a game to go. They sit level on points with both Somerset in 2nd and Middlesex in 4th, meaning one of those three teams will miss out on a place in the quarter finals.

Last time out, the Bears chased down a target of 300 to win at Durham. Ed Barnard scored an unbeaten 141 to help put his side within touching distance of qualifying.

Timings

Tomorrow's match begins at 11am.

How to Watch

You can watch every ball of the Men's fixture, 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.

Match Tickets

Tickets can be purchased via this link.

In what has been a brilliant season for Alexia Walker's new-look Sharks, it's already time for their final match of the 2025 campaign at Hove as table-toppers Middlesex head down to Sussex shoreline. 

With two matches to go in the competition, there is still hope of the Sharks qualifying to the latter stages of the Metro Bank One Day Cup League Two, but regardless of what happens Walker and her team can take a wealth of positives from not just this competition, but from the year as a whole. 

Team News

Walker has announced a 13-player squad for the fixture at Hove, with Mollie Adams, Lottie Curling and Eve O'Neill all absentees due to their participation in the Super 4s. 

Squad: Buckle, Champion, Collis, Gentry, Green (c), Harman, Joseph, King (wk), Lee, Lewis, Mullan, Stanley, Wilkinson

The Opposition 

Seven matches, seven wins. For Middlesex Women it has been a quite blistering season as they motor towards finishing top of Metro Bank One Day Cup League Two. They, too, found similar success in the T20 Blast League Two, beating Northamptonshire in the final to seal a memorable 10-wicket win.

But in this competition they have been ruthless. A 123-run victory last time out, the runs continue to flow with Ariana Dowse and Saskia Horley racking up the runs. And with the ball in hand, Sarah Pearson has dealt the damage of late: claiming figures of 6-23 in her last outing.

Tickets 

Entry is free for Sussex Members - please bring your Membership cards with you. 

Still need match tickets? Click here to purchase!

Thursday's defeat at the hands of Somerset leaves Grant Flower's Sharks with plenty of work (and a little bit of good fortune) if they are to qualify from the Metro Bank One Day Cup group stage. Sussex will need to win their two remaining fixtures and hope that results go their way if they are to succeed. Sunday's opponents? The table toppers Yorkshire. 

Somerset's 90-run victory ended a strong run of three consecutive wins for the Sharks in the One Day Cup - a campaign that has ebbed and flowed somewhat. But as we reach the penultimate match, there is still hope, still a chance, that Sussex's Metro Bank campaign will continue deeper into August. Victory on Sunday is essential.

Team News

Grant Flower has named a 14-player squad for the visit of Yorkshire.

Carson, Carter, Clark, Crocombe, Foreman, Haines, Henry, Hudson-Prentice, Hunt, Ibrahim, Lamb, Lenham, Simpson (c), Tear.

Troy Henry makes his first appearance in a Sussex squad since signing his rookie contract, whilst Ari Karvelas is unavailable having joined Surrey on loan for the remainder of the One Day Cup campaign.

The Opposition

It's tight at the top. And Yorkshire are in a fine position to qualify with two matches remaining. Nothing is certain yet, but as the finish line comes into view it is Sunday's opponents who hold the edge. 

They've looked good for it, too. On three occasions in this group stage have they bowled a side out for fewer than 180 runs - Ben Cliff and George Hill the pick of their bowlers. And with the bat Iman-ul-Haq has been irrepressible. Racking up the runs at a real pace, he is the prized wicket for Sussex if they are to find success.

Tickets

Not secured your seat yet? You can purchase yours via this link.

Timings

Sunday's match with Yorkshire will commence at 11am, with gates opening at 9.30am.

Food & Drink

Supporters are permitted to bring food and drinks into the ground, however alcohol is NOT permitted. 

Silly Point Beer Festival 2.0

Sussex Cricket is delighted to confirm the return of the Silly Point Beer Festival – back for its second edition following the success of last week’s launch event. 

Entry to the Silly Point Beer Festival is included with your match ticket, while beer wristbands will be available to purchase on the day, giving access to six half-pints from the featured range.

For more information, visit this link!

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.

Sixes will also be showing live Premier League football during the day.

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.

Super 7 to represent Sussex at the Disability Premier League

Sussex Cricket is very proud to announce that following the ‘DPL Draft’ process earlier this year, seven Sussex based players will be representing the county in the 2025 edition of the Toyota Disability Premier League.

The 2025 season has been another incredibly successful one for Disability Cricket with great strides continuing to be made. 

Our ‘SEND Schools’ & ‘Super 1s’ participation programmes right through to our high-performance D40 and Visually Impaired squads are giving an increasing amount of people with additional needs and disabilities the opportunity to access the sport at a variety of levels. Demonstrated by a 50% growth in the Disability Pathway over the last 2 years.

The wider impact of this growth has been an ability to support our highest performing Disability Cricketers to excel, which has been borne out by selection for both the DPL and International honours. Most notably, Alfie Pyle and Liam O’Brien, who were selected for England in the Men’s Mixed Disability series against India, earlier this season and performed with great skill.

Supporting between 70 and 80 players across Sussex, the Pathway has seen some outstanding performances; including from our newly formed Super 9s 1st XI, who finished third in their inaugural year. The Sussex VI Sharks continue to go from strength to strength – already retaining their BCEW National League - Division 1 title, whilst also heading into the BCEW T20 Finals Day and Primary Club Heindrich Swanepoel Cup Final in the next few weeks. The latter will be hosted at The 1st Central County Ground on Saturday 6th September.

The players from the Pathway who will be representing the Martlets at the Toyota DPL:

Alfie Pyle – Tridents

Daniel Gee – Black Cats

Elliot Brown* – Hawks

Fred Bridges – Tridents

Jake Vosloo* – Hawks

Liam O’Brien – Tridents

Owen Piper – Black Cats

*Debut year at the DPL

Tom Belcher, Disability Cricket Manager said: 

2025 has been an outstanding year for all of us associated with Disability Cricket in Sussex.

"I know the coaching and management team are both excited and incredibly proud of the players selected to represent Sussex and their respective franchise teams in this year's Toyota DPL competition.”

The tournament begins on Sunday 24th August, with the first two rounds of matches taking place at the ECB Performance Centre, Loughborough University. Followed by two further weekends hosted at Worcester Norton CC, Worcester (Sunday 31st August) and Colwall CC, Malvern (Sunday 7th September) respectively.

To cap off the Toyota DPL, the showpiece final will once again be held at Sophia Gardens, Cardiff on Wednesday 10 September – full details can be found in the ECB press release below.

Want to keep up to date with all fixtures and results over the next few weeks? Head over to the match centre area of the ECB website.

FULL ECB PRESS RELEASE: 30th JUNE

Toyota Disability Premier League Final 2025 to be held at Sophia Gardens, Cardiff

Toyota has been confirmed as the new title partner of the Disability Premier League, with the first Toyota Disability Premier League Final due to be held at Sophia Gardens, Cardiff, on Wednesday 10 September 2025.

The match will be staged ahead of the first Vitality IT20 between England Men and South Africa Men and will also be broadcast live on Sky Sports.

Toyota was announced as the new Principal Partner to the ECB in April, with a commitment to supporting England’s men’s, women’s and disability cricket teams. The partnership is also focused on fostering the growth of grassroots participation nationwide, encompassing all ages, abilities, and backgrounds.

Under the shared vision to make cricket more accessible and inclusive, Toyota also becomes the first Official Champion of Disability Cricket and the title partner of the Toyota DPL.

Alongside growing the Toyota Disability Premier League tournament nationwide, Toyota and the ECB are committed to growing Disability Champion Clubs, with a view to expand participation beyond the men's teams. 

This includes a lens on women's grassroots initiatives to build a strong foundation for increased female participation at all levels.

It’s the second year in a row that Glamorgan CCC will host the Disability Premier League Final, having been the venue for Pirates’ victory over Tridents in 2024.

Emma Johnson, Toyota GB Marketing Director said: “As the ECB's Principal Partner for men’s, women’s, disability and grassroots cricket, we are pleased we can help, support and inspire both the current and next generation of disability team players, volunteers and fans who make disability cricket happen. At Toyota, mobility is at the heart of everything we do and through these initiatives, we’re helping more people enjoy cricket, be active and connect through sport.”

Ian Martin, ECB Head of Disability Cricket, said: “The DPL has gone from strength to strength since its inception in 2022 and we’re thrilled that it is now the Toyota DPL. To have the backing of a global company like Toyota is incredibly meaningful for us and they’ll play a huge role in helping drive the disability game forward. Glamorgan did a fantastic job hosting the final in 2024 and we’re delighted to be back in September.”

ENDS

Mollie Adams, Lottie Curling and Eve O'Neill have all been selected to take part in the Super 4s event in Loughborough from Sunday 24th to Friday 29th August. 

This competition is designed to bring together the best academy players from around the country to play in three representative sides as well as an Ireland U19 side. 

Mollie and Lottie have been part of the Sussex Pathway since U11 and Eve joined Sussex Women this year as an exciting prospect who is part of the same Regional Academy as Mollie and Lottie. 

Alexia Walker, Women's Head Coach, said: "We are very pleased for these players to be recognised for their talent and high potential. They have all performed well for Sussex this year as well as in their academy fixtures. 

Mollie has scored well at the top of the order in 50 over cricket this year including her fantastic maiden Sussex century and continues to show great talent with the gloves. 

Lottie is demonstrating great skill with the ball this year and has had several very impactful spells for both Sussex and in academy fixtures. She bowls with pace and has the ability to swing the ball making her an exciting prospect. 

Eve is a highly talented leg spinner who has already had representative experience with England U19s when she was still 16yrs old and is excellent in the field as well as contributing vital middle order runs.

We wish them all well this week."

Somerset produced an unlikely victory over Sussex in the Metro Bank One Day Cup at Hove, winning by 90 runs after being bowled out for a modest 243. It was their fourth victory in six matches.

                On a slow pitch that offered some sharp seam movement on occasions, but was far from unplayable, both sides were guilty of rash strokeplay, especially the Sussex Sharks when they lost four wicket for no runs in the course of eight deliveries.

       The Sharks were clear favourites at the halfway point of the match.  And they reinforced their position when they reached 60 for one at the end of the first 10-over powerplay, almost twice as many as Somerset had scored (33-3) at the same stage of their innings.  But then Sussex collapsed in a way that made their recent implosion against Lancashire, when they lost six wickets for 27 runs before winning a thrilling contest, look commonplace.

           From the start of the 11th over Charlie Tear flayed a wide delivery straight to cover.  Next ball, Fynn Hudson-Prentice missed a straight one and was lbw.  And three balls later captain John Simpson got one that cut back off the pitch and was also lbw. Tom Lammonby, who had made a three-ball duck when he had opened the Somerset innings, had bowled a three-wicket maiden.

           It got worse.  Tom Clark, who had batted impressively, lobbed the second delivery of the 12th over to mid-on and Sussex were 60 for five. Jack Carson, heroic in the recent wins over Kent and Lancashire, hinted at another rescue act with a vigorous 35 before pulling to midwicket, and when Oli Carter was caught in the same area, to make it 128 for eight, it was realistically all over. Lammonby took five wickets for the first time in any competition.

        The Somerset total had looked insufficient, and they were happy to get there after being 82 for five in the 20th over.  Their innings was revived by half-centuries from Josh Thomas and Fin Hill after the Rew brothers James and Thomas had both failed to build on promising starts.

          Somerset, who continued their rotation policy by bringing in Kian Roberts, Kasey Aldridge and Hill, made a frantic start to their innings.  Archie Vaughan was caught down the leg-side first ball and Sussex missed two more chances in the first two overs.  But they weren’t made to pay for their profligacy.  In the third over Lammonby was caught at slip off Sean Hunt, coming back into the side in place of Bertie Foreman, and it was 21 for three in the sixth over when Lewis Goldsworthy, surprised by the bounce achieved by Hudson-Prentice, could only fend the ball off to Henry Crocombe at square-leg.

           Once again Somerset were looking to the Rews to pull them round.  But captain James, attempting to turn Crocombe to leg, got a leading edge back to the bowler for just  29 and the same bowler jagged one back to bowl his younger brother through the gate for 30.

           At that stage significant recovery looked beyond an inexperienced Somerset side.  But they were transformed by a sixth wicket stand of 59 between Thomas and Hill.  Thomas, mixing bludgeoning blows with some sweetly timed drives – on a pitch where timing was difficult - was particularly impressive, stroking Crocombe square on the off-side to raise the hundred in the 24th over.  He reached his fifty from 54 balls when he pulled Hunt for six but was caught behind in the same over. A seventh wicket stand of 67 between Hill and Roberts maintained the Somerset recovery.

ECB Reports Network supported by Rothesay

In what was a steady start to the Metro Bank One Day Cup, three consecutive victories have given Sussex hope heading into the final three matches of the group stage. The aim? A top three finish. And they're just one victory away from being level with leaders Yorkshire. That matchup comes on Sunday. But first, another of the chasing pack, Somerset, head to Hove tomorrow.

So, how did we get here? The opening two matches spawned defeats, yet as Jack Carson and Archie Lenham fought for every run against Kent, the momentum shifted. Lancashire would be the next victim in a thriller of a match, before Charlie Tear's astonishing century guided the Sharks beyond the Steelbacks. Now, Sussex are a side firmly in contention.

Team News

Grant Flower has named a 13-player squad for the visit of Somerset tomorrow.

Carson, Carter, Clark, Crocombe, Foreman, Haines, Hudson-Prentice, Hunt, Ibrahim, Lamb, Lenham, Simpson (c), Tear.

The squad is unchanged from Sunday's blistering victory over Northamptonshire, with the exception of Ari Karvelas, who misses out.

The Opposition

Boasting one of the strongest squads in the competition, Somerset's One Day Cup record this campaign is identical to Sussex after the opening five rounds. With three matches to play, the question marks over who will qualify are still looming large overhead, and tomorrow's meeting at Hove could prove pivotal in removing some doubt.

A fast start in the competition saw Somerset claim back-to-back victories to start their One Day Cup season, but have since taken their foot off the accelerator a touch with two defeats in their previous three games. Despite this, James Rew is having an outstanding campaign with the bat: recording 283 runs from his five innings at the crease. And with the ball in hand, wickets have been thoroughly shared around. Alfie Ogborne, Jake Ball and Ben Green have all taken eight wickets, with the former taking 5/41 over Durham.

Tickets

Not secured your seat yet? Well, fear not! For tickets are still available for this mightily crucial clash, and you can purchase yours via this link.

Timings

Tomorrow's match will commence at 11am, with gates opening at 9.30am.

Food & Drink

Supporters are permitted to bring food and drinks into the ground, however alcohol is NOT permitted. 

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.