Middlesex vs Sussex Sharks: Match Report

Sam Robson and Joe Cracknell shared a stand of 144 in 111 balls as Middlesex sped to victory over Sussex in the Metro Bank One-Day Cup at Lord’s. 

Robson, in his benefit year with the Seaxes struck a run a ball 89 (14 4s and a six) while Cracknell also cleared the ropes and hit 12 boundaries in his 78 as the hosts chased down a target of 256 with 25 balls to spare, despite 3-48 for Henry Crocombe.

Earlier, Sussex’s total of 255-9 was built around half centuries from Jack Carson (73 from 58) and Fynn Hudson-Prentice (58 in 73). Noah Cornwell returned 3-50 while 18-year-old Jamie Feldman, making his List-A debut took a wicket with his second ball on route to figures of 2-36.

Middlesex seized the initiative early thanks to Toby Roland-Jones’ double strike, Tom Haines caught at mid-on before Danial Ibrahim was trapped in front. 

Hudson-Prentice’s innings got off to a bizarre start when a quick single saw a shy at the stumps which hit the non-striker Tom Clark, the ricochet carrying the ball to the fence.

The all-rounder almost played on to a ball from Cornwell, swatting the ball away from danger, but a lovely off-drive soon had him motoring, a Roland-Jones delivery nonchalantly flicked over the short boundary for six.

Feldman then made a dramatic entrance, having Clark caught by skipper Ben Geddes and he struck for a second time to cut short Sussex skipper John Simpson’s breezy 22.

Hudson-Prentice passed 50 in 61 balls, sharing a stand of 52 with Oli Carter before being superbly caught by Jack Davies and when Cornwell ended Carter’s promising innings three runs later the visitors were 152-6.

The fact they batted out their overs was down almost entirely to Carson’s splendid innings. The all-rounder ruthlessly exploited the short boundary, endangering occupants of the Mound Stand on four occasions as he sprinted to 50 at more than a run a ball before finally perishing caught at cover in the penultimate over.

By then Feldman had unfurled another party piece, brilliantly running out Danny Lamb with a direct hit. 

Middlesex lost De Caires lbw to Ari Karvelas early in the chase, but Robson and Cracknell responded with a boundary blitz, the former clubbing one over the ropes as well as creaming several fours effortlessly through the covers.

Carson relieved the quicks only to be swept twice to the ropes by Cracknell, who followed that by dispatching one from Crocombe into the stands as 93 came from the powerplay.

Cracknell’s ninth four took him to 50 in 33 balls and Robson’s half-century took only three more as the pair forged on.

The Durham University graduate took a liking to the spin of Archie Lenham too, cutting successive balls behind square, and it needed Lamb to end his revelry courtesy of Haines’s catch on the square leg fence.

While Robson became more circumspect, Geddes picked up the baton, clearing the ropes and driving Lamb to the cover fence, reaching 30 before Crocombe pegged back his off stump.

When Robson followed him to the pavilion seven balls later courtesy of a magnificent diving catch by Lamb at mid-on there were jitters in the home dressing-room.

Davies cleared the ropes only to perish to the next ball and with the visitors employing three slips runs slowed to a trickle.

Hollman though steadied the ship with a mature unbeaten 30 to see the hosts over the line. 

By Jon Batham ECB Reporters’ Network supported by Rothesay

For more information about Rothesay, please visit www.ecb.co.uk/about/who-we-are/our-partners/rothesay

There were moments in this match where Sussex played some of their finest cricket of the campaign. The brilliance and sheen of the top order, and the bowling attack that just kept getting better. For large swathes of this sweltering August day there was little between the Sharks and the Foxes. Yet, as the afternoon grew and time ticked on, there was only going to be one outcome. The result? A third Metro Bank One Day Cup victory of the campaign.

With the bat Sussex were fluid and, at times, flawless. Mollie Adams and Izzy Collis have demonstrated their capabilities with the bat on numerous occasions this season, but for the latter it was perhaps her finest showing out in the middle. It wasn't just the 55 runs that were scored, but the control and care that went into this, the Sharks' eventual highest score of the innings. 

Adams fell with 65 runs on the board. April Herathge claimed the wicket, though Adams would perhaps have liked that one back in an instant. It was a wide delivery, and cut away. Unfortunately, it was straight into the hands of Francesca Sweet. Phoebe Wilkinson tapped the gloves of Collis as the foundations for another strong partnership were hastily laid. Wilkinson has been superb with the bat in recent months, and this was again a showcase of angles, straight lines and pure vibes. 

A smidgen below a run a ball for her 26, Nancy Harman would follow suit with more runs. Harman's innings began with great pace and urgency, placing the pressure onto the Leicestershire bowling cohort that at one moment it might look like she would never leave the crease. Collis and Harman combined for 10 boundaries, and they found them with surgical precision. 

In the 32nd over Collis' resistance was over. She had soaked up 91 balls and crafted 55 runs, falling to the bowling of Lucy Weston. It would be her lone scalp in the match, but perhaps the most imperative of them all. Rachel King, a talent who continues to grow in guile and grace with each appearance, added 25 runs to the equation. That would be the least number of runs made out of anyone in the top six, testament to a triumphant string of batters who lifted Sussex over 200 with a plentiful number of overs remaining. 

King and Green, much like Harman earlier in the innings, racked up their runs at an urgency. Both with strike rates over 100, they were intelligent beneath a sweltering sun. Aimee Colquhoun claimed the catches with both batters removed in the space of two overs to bring the Foxes back into the match. Daisy Mullan and Ava Lee tacked on extra runs before a late cameo from Talitha Stanley propped the Sharks' total up to a commendable 272 from their 50 overs. This was a collective effort with the bat from a young and hungry team who fought until the very final delivery, and ultimately put themselves in the driving seat after over three hours out in the middle. 

At the end of the innings the clouds moved away and the sun shone bright. The staggering trees caught hold of the gentle breeze and swayed softly around the boundary's edge. There are few places in England, let alone cricket grounds, that are as serene and stunning as Arundel. And almost as soon as Sussex had sauntered onto the luscious turf Leicestershire had lost their opening wicket. Only four Lottie Curling deliveries had been bowled when she removed the bails of Sweet. Few fielders had realised the outcome, for two of them could be seen running after the ball as it hurtled toward the boundary. But the wickets had been hit, and Curling had the breakthrough.

Then, the resistance. Prisha Thanawala joined Becki Brooker in the middle, and the pair were indomitable for a time. It was careful batting: dispatching the wider deliveries but ultimately keeping things secure at a time when their side needed them most. The partnership would last for 142 balls and harvest 117 runs. By this time the clouds had dissipated completely, and nothing but azure blue clung overhead. The runs kept coming. At a rate that might not have concerned Green too much as the visitors reached the 100-mark in the 22nd over, but the quest for a wicket was intensifying. 

Brooker reached her fifty in good time, hastily followed by Thanawala. At this moment the WASP (Wicket and Score Predictor) was at its highest of 87%. Wickets were vital to stemming the stream of runs. Mere moments had passed after Thanawala was dropped when the breakthrough was made, though it would be Brooker who made way first in an over that would greatly alter the narrative. Green had bowled four overs without reward, but she'd claim two valuable scalps in the space of just four balls - first Brooker, then Thanawala - both via the faintest of edges that Adams confidently kept hold of. 

Anna Buckle had toiled in the Sussex sun but earned her reward midway through her spell. Ellen Watson the victim, chipping one into the grateful grasp of Harman. Leicestershire four down, slipping under the scoreboard pressure, and desperate for runs as the overs ticked by. At the 36th over, 90 runs were required off 84 deliveries. A steep task. Sophie Bennett and Weston were the Foxes' final hope, their last stand. 

When Bennett lifted a six off the bowling of Curling those clad in Leicestershire colours grew in noise. But the next few overs would prove pivotal. And at its core was Ava Lee. The 19-year-old had bowled beautifully throughout, but within the space of two overs she had claimed three wickets, and effectively sealed the Sharks' victory. First uprooting Weston's stumps, then Bennett's. The over later she'd dismiss Colquhoun with the finish line swiftly coming into view. 

Stanley was back into the attack at this point, and the eighth Leicestershire wicket was taken. Adjudged LBW - the first leg before wicket of the whole match - an over before Green took her third wicket of the match to remove Holly Whitfield. Then, it was just a matter of time. In the 46th over the result was secured as Stanley steamed in and blew Emma Thatcher's leg stump away. At the end there is a shiver of exulted Sharks, elated with a prized victory. This is how far this team has come. This is only the beginning.

Following Thursday's magnificent spectacle at Arundel - a match that saw Jack Carson and Archie Lenham produce a perfect partnership to down Kent Spitfires - the rolling fields are swapped with the beauty of Lord's as Sussex look to make it back-to-back wins when they entertain Middlesex on Sunday. 

And it was a win imperative not just to kick-start the competition, but to regain some confidence, too. There were excellent shifts out in the middle from John Simpson and Oli Carter, who both raised the bat, as the Sharks move to the capital with confidence.

Team News

Grant Flower has named an unchanged 13-player squad for the trip to Lord's.

Carson (c), Carter, Clark, Crocombe, Foreman, Haines, Hudson-Prentice, Ibrahim, Karvelas, Lamb, Lenham, Rogers, Simpson

The Opposition

In their opening match of their Metro Bank campaign, Middlesex were narrowly defeated by a strong Somerset side. A performance that harvested a plethora of positives - chiefly through Josh de Caires' impressive knock of 71 - the London-based side will be hoping for a better competition after finishing 8th in the T20 group stage.

The two sides last faced off in the One Day Cup back in 2022, where centuries from Tom Alsop (189*) and Cheteshwar Pujara (132) powered the Sharks to a 157-run victory at Hove.

Timings

Tomorrow's match at Lord's will begin at 11am.

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.

Match Tickets

Tickets can be purchased via this link.

Sussex Cricket can confirm the next Members' Forum will take place on Friday, 15th August.

Jon Filby will be hosting a Members' Forum on Friday, 15th August at 12.30pm in the Long Room to discuss the Men’s Fixture Schedule. He will be joined by Paul Farbrace and Martin Richards. Tea and coffee will be available. 

Please note: gates will open at 12 noon to allow Members to attend. 

Summer Cinema Spectacular: Visitor Information 

The Summer Cinema Spectacular is almost upon us! To help you plan your day with us, we've pulled together all the information you need including how to get here, when to arrive, plus what you can and can't bring into the venue with you. 

Gate Opening Times

Wicked - 10am - Saturday 9th August

Mamma Mia! - 430pm - Saturday 9th August

Frozen - 945am - Sunday 10th August

How to Get Here

The 1st Central County Ground is located in the heart of Hove and is easily accessible by a number of public transport methods.

The closest rail station is Hove Station, located just a brief 10 minute walk from the venue. To find us on maps, please use this address:

The 1st Central County Ground, Eaton Rd, Brighton and Hove, Hove BN3 3AN

A number of local buses also serve Hove and the surrounding areas. You can use the local bus journey planner to help you get here. 

Please use the main entrance to the venue on Eaton Road. 

Site Map

To view a map of the event site, please click here. 

Cashless Venue

Please be aware that The 1st Central County Ground is a cashless venue, so please plan accordingly. 

Parking 

Parking is not available on site for this event. If you are being dropped off for the event, we highly recommend you are dropped off at a surrounding street and not at the main entrance due to a high volume of expected visitors. 

Upgrades

There is still time to enhance your Summer Cinema Spectacular experience with one of our pre-screen hospitality upgrades. Enjoy breakfast and drinks before the film with your family and friends at the beautiful home of Sussex Cricket.

To find out more about packages, please click here.

On the Day Upgrades

As well as offering pre-screening hospitality packages, you can also make your day that little bit more special with our on-the-day upgrades, available to purchase during the event. 

You can choose to sit in the Golden Circle with your own blankets and cushions, or rent one of our bespoke deckchairs, with upgrades starting at just £4.

Golden Circle upgrades include access to Private Bar and Toilets in Players Club.

Get VIP access to the Dean Wilson Boundary Rooms, £10 for adults and £5 for kids, which also includes your own private bar and one free drink.

All payments must be taken on the day and paid by card. 

Food and Drink

Food and drink is not permitted to be brought into this event. We will have plenty of food and drink outlets open to keep you full and hydrated throughout the performances. 

We'll have burgers, pizzas, popcorn, pick and mix, Sixes food, fried chicken, loaded fries all available within the stadium over the weekend.

Visitors are permitted to bring in water. 

Important Information for Parents

We can't wait to welcome you and the family to the 1st Central County Ground, and to ensure the day is enjoyable for all, please can we ask that you monitor your children at all times to ensure their safety, as well as of those around you. 

FAQ's 

We know you may have many questions about exactly what you can't and cannot bring in with you, so we have pulled together a series of Frequently Asked Questions. Click here to view them all at the bottom of the page. 

After a brilliant start to the Rathbones Arundel Festival of Cricket, an immensely successful few days continues with another One Day Cup clash. This time, it's Alexia Walker's side that will be gracing the divine turf of Arundel as Leicestershire Foxes journey down to West Sussex with both side's in need of victory.

Sussex Sharks currently have just the lone victory thus far to their name in the competition after the opening five matches, but so, too, do tomorrow's visitors. Identical records come face-to-face with both side's in need of a win to boost their chances of qualifying for the final four places.

Team News

Walker has announced a 13-player squad for the fixture at Arundel, with Jazz Westley and Eve O'Neill both missing out through injury.

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

The Opposition 

Whilst the Vitality Blast competition saw the Sharks enjoy more success overall, the same can be said for Leicestershire who finished an impressive second in the North Group. They would come unstuck in the semi-final to the eventual champions, Middlesex, but can be proud of an excellent tournament.

Interestingly, though, the Sharks actually finished on a higher points tally than Leicestershire (by a single point), and so possess rather similar records not just in this competition, but in the whole season.

Tickets and Parking

Tickets for tomorrow's Metro Bank One Day Cup fixture should be purchased in advance to help reduce queue times. Entry is free for Sussex Members to both matches - please bring your Membership cards with you. 

Parking for these matches is £10 per car and can be purchased online. Please click here and then click on tomorrow's fixture. A link to the car park purchase will then appear.

Still need match tickets? Click here to purchase!

Chairs and Blankets

Spectators are permitted to bring their own fold up chairs, as well as picnic blankets. 

Information on Arundel Castle Cricket Club

For information on how to find Arundel Castle Cricket Club and much more, please visit their website.

A remarkable and unbroken eighth wicket stand of 88 in 11 over between Jack Carson and Archie Lenham saw Sussex to an unlikely three wicket win over Kent with ten balls to spare in the Metro Bank One-Day Cup at Arundel.

Kent looked home and dry in their opening game when they had Sussex 200 for seven in the 38th over.  They had weathered a fifth wicket stand of 90 between Oli Carter (68) and John Simpson (50) and then dismissed the dangerous Danny Lamb for 16.

But Carson struck his maiden List A fifty off 43 balls, with five fours and a six.  And Lenham made 45 off 38 with six fours and a six.  The match was still in doubt with 22 needed off the last three overs.  And it was leg-spinner Lenham who settled the argument when he hit Mikey Cohen for 14 off three balls, an on-drive for six, a square slash for four and an off-drive for another boundary.  That left Sussex needing five from the last two overs and Carson hit the first two deliveries from Fred Klassen for four.

Earlier, Cohen, a South African-born left-arm seamer who is qualified to play for France, looked set to be the hero of the day. He had made a memorable first appearance for Kent when he took three wickets in his opening spell before returning to dismiss danger man Carter.

Cohen, whose debut had been delayed by injury, struck with his second ball when he had Danial Ibrahim lbw and broke through again with the first ball of his second over when he bowled one across the left-handed Tom Haines to have the batsman caught behind.

Fynn Hudson-Prentice looked anxious to dispel local concerns that he was batting too high in the order at No 4 when he flicked Cohen for two leg-side fours before driving him for two more. But Sussex kept losing wickets.  Tom Clark had his middle stump knocked back by Klaassen as he went for an extravagant off-side stroke to make it 50 for three and in the next over the dangerous Hudson-Prentice was caught at  backward square-leg.

Sussex, who had lost their opening game against Durham, decided to bowl first on a slow pitch and made a good start. Jaydn Denly, driving, was well caught by Henry Crocombe at backward point off the last delivery of the first over and opening partner Ben Compton was caught behind off Ari Karvelas to make it 27 for two in the sixth over. 

Kent rebuilt through Joey Evison and and Chris Benjamin, who added 81 in 14 overs before both were dismissed by exceptional pieces of fielding. Lamb came on to bowl the 20th over and off his first delivery he produced an outstanding one-handed catch, flinging himself to his left, to dismiss the bewildered Benjamin. And in the next over Carter held on to a stinging catch at short midwicket to end Evison’s innings, a 54-ball 52 which included ten fours.

For the second time Kent, winners of the competition in 2022, regrouped again, first through captain Harry Finch – a former Sussex player – and the Orpington-born Ekansh Singh, a recent century maker for the England Under-19 side, who put on 89 in 17 overs, and then again through Jack Leaning and Mo Rizvi, making his debut in the competition.  They put on 75 before the innings ended as it had started, with a flurry of wickets.

Sussex Cricket Launches 'The Silly Point Session' Beer Festival for Day-Night Clash

Sussex Cricket is excited to announce The Silly Point Session – a brand-new local beer festival taking place at The Silly Point Pub during the much-anticipated Day/Night Metro Bank One Day Cup clash between the Sussex Sharks and Lancashire on Friday 15 August 2025.

This event celebrates the return of Day/Night cricket to Hove for the first time in several years and follows the hugely successful launch of The Silly Point Pub during this year’s Vitality Blast campaign, where it quickly became a fan favourite.

Now, Sharks fans can enjoy an even bigger experience as The Silly Point Session brings together great sport, great beer, and a vibrant matchday atmosphere.

Hosted in partnership with Laine Brewery Co., the festival will showcase a diverse lineup of up to 12 beers, including specially selected brews from Laine, along with favourites from Heineken and Harvey’s Brewery. A variety of non-alcoholic options will also be available.

Entry to The Silly Point Pub and the festival area is included with your match ticket. For those keen to sample the full range, wristbands can be purchased, giving access to six half-pints of your choice from the featured selection.

“This is more than just a match – it’s a celebration of summer, community, and great beer,” said Sam Graham, Director of Growth at Sussex Cricket.

He added: “Building on the success of The Silly Point Pub during the T20s, we’re thrilled to now offer fans something even bigger and better for our Day/Night Metro Bank One Day Cup fixture.”

Wristbands for the event will be available to purchase in-person on the day of the match at The 1st Central County Ground.

To buy match tickets for the game, which starts at 2pm, please click here. 

And just like that, it's time to commence our One Day Cup campaign. It all begins on Tuesday, with Grant Flower taking the reins as Head Coach for the duration of the competition. Up first: a lengthy voyage to Gosforth a smidgen north of Newcastle city centre to play Durham - the inaugural winners of the competition back in 2014.

The change in format might just come at a good time for the Sharks who have found things a little difficult in recent weeks having missed out on T20 qualification and suffering consecutive County Championship defeats. August begins, and the One Day Cup is here.

Team News

Grant Flower has named a 13-player squad for the trip up to Durham, with Jack Carson captaining the side for the first time.

Carson (c), Carter, Clark, Crocombe, Foreman, Haines, Hudson-Prentice, Ibrahim, Karvelas, Lamb, Lenham, Rogers, Tear

The Opposition

Durham are coming off the back of an excellent Vitality Blast campaign, which saw them finish second in the North Group. They were 50-over finalists in 2021 and will be eying their first white-ball title since 2014 when they won a previous incarnation of this competition. 

Their squad is well balanced and hasn’t been ravaged by the Hundred, with Ollie Robinson, the 26-year-old wicketkeeper-batter, set to feature in his first One Day Cup competition since 2022 due to Hundred commitments. South African overseas quick, Codi Yusuf, is also available for this competition, and will provide significant firepower to Durham’s bowling attack.

Timings

Tomorrow's match at South Northumberland Cricket Club will begin at 11am, with gates opening at 9.30am for general admission and hospitality.

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.

Match Tickets

Tickets can be purchased via this link.

Sussex Walking Sports Day Shines in Eastbourne

A fun-filled day of inclusive, low-impact sports brought Eastbourne’s over-50s together! Sussex hosted its first-ever Walking Sports Day for over-50s on Friday 18 July 2025 at The Saffrons in Eastbourne, bringing participants together for a day of activity, connection, and fun.

The event marked a unique collaboration between six local sporting bodies including the Sussex County FA, Sussex Rugby, Sussex Cricket Foundation, Sussex Hockey, Eastbourne Croquet Club, and Padel4All Eastbourne. 

Each organisation hosted walking versions of their sport, giving attendees a chance to get active while discovering new and accessible ways to enjoy sport later in life.

Participants were invited to take part in walking football, walking rugby, walking hockey, and walking cricket, along with introductory taster sessions in croquet and padel, which were all tailored to suit a wide range of mobility levels and sporting experience.

“The Walking Sports Day was all about giving people over the age of 50 a chance to stay active, socialise, and try new sports they may not have considered before,” said Sussex County FA’s Development Intern, Fabian Pettersson. 

“It’s so important to create inclusive opportunities that focus on both physical health and social connection as people get older.

“We had a brilliant sunny day packed with activities, and it was fantastic to see people enjoying sport in such a relaxed and welcoming environment. I’d like to thank Sussex County FA and Abi Knight for the chance to gain hands-on experience in delivering a community football development project through the NextGen Internship Programme.”

Participants praised the event’s friendly atmosphere and the chance to build new friendships while staying physically and mentally active.

Walking sports have seen a rise in popularity across the UK in recent years, offering a low-impact alternative that supports wellbeing and reduces barriers to sport, especially among older adults. Days like this play a vital role in reducing social isolation, promoting healthy lifestyles, and encouraging lifelong engagement with physical activity.

Organisers across all sports agreed the event was a huge success and hope to see Walking Sports Day become a regular feature in Eastbourne’s calendar. With strong community engagement and continued support from local organisations, the future of walking sports in East Sussex looks bright!

If you’re interested in trying out walking sports in your area, visit the websites of the participating organisations.

More photos from the Walking Sports Day event can be viewed via Simon Roe Photography.

For more information on walking cricket please contact the Foundation on foundation@sussexcricket.co.uk.

Article courtesy of the Sussex County FA and image copyright of Simon Roe Photography.