The Dean Wilson Sussex Cricket League: May Review

The newly named Dean Wilson Sussex Cricket League (SCL) has kicked-off with a thrilling start to the season during the month of May.

Blessed with some very favourable weather in one of the driest springs on record, the early rounds have delivered an enormous amount of cricket up and down the 39 divisions.

More than 700 competitive matches have been played before the start of June, and 4000+ players are turning out every Saturday afternoon for their local cricket clubs. Demonstrating the fine health of the recreational game in Sussex.

A huge thank you to sponsors and Sussex Cricket community partners, Dean Wilson Solicitors LLP, for their invaluable support of recreational cricket. And this National #VolunteersWeek, our heartfelt thanks also go out to the many thousands of club volunteers and officials across the county who enable this great sport to happen and importantly, to grow.

Alongside the regular league season, the T20 Cup competitions have begun with the quarter-final lineup for The Daniel Oliver T20 Cup already confirmed and the second-round schedules decided for The Paul Baker T20 Trophy and T20 Plate respectively.

Division Standings

Horsham 1st XI [120pts] are setting the early pace in the ECB Premier Division, with a perfect record thus far, winning their opening four matches. Closely followed by Preston Nomads 1st XI [103pts], Haywards Heath 1st XI [102pts] and Three Bridges 1st XI [97pts], all with 3 victories from their opening four encounters.

In Division 2, Eastbourne 1st XI [120pts] currently sit on top of the pile. With fellow East Sussex outfit Hastings & St Leonards Priory 1st XI [103pts] in second and West Chiltington & Thakeham 1st XI [99pts] in third, their nearest challengers.

A four-way battle at the top of Division 3 West is underway, with Burgess Hill 1st XI, Pagham 1st XI and Billingshurst 1st XI all on 103 points and Findon on 100 points. Several other sides could easily come into the reckoning as the season develops.

Lastly, Bolney 1st XI and Little Common Ramblers 1st XI can’t be separated, both on 120 points apiece in Division 3 East as they start to establish a ‘gap’ from the rest, even at this early stage.

To stay up to date with the standings across the 39 divisions, you can visit The Dean Wilson Sussex Cricket League official website.

Individual Performances

As well as team performances, we have seen some incredible individual feats across the SCL. Did you know that 178 centuries have been scored and 145 five-wicket hauls have already been taken!

Here are the top five standouts leading the way:

Batting

Tom Marchant, 210 – Eastbourne 2nd XI in Division 5 East

Rory Delves, 204* – Brighton & Hove 4th XI in Division 7 West

James Smilie, 199 – Pulborough 1st XI in Division 11 West (North)

Louis Storey, 198 – West Chiltington & Thakeham 1st XI in Division 2

Sonu Jacob, 197* – Bexhill Strikers 1st XI in Division 10 East

Bowling

Kimani Mbugua, 8/30 – Copthorne 1st XI in Division 8 Central

Nick Ellis, 7/15 – St Andrews 3rd XI in Division 12 Central (North)

Simon Shivnarain, 7/24 – Lindfield 2nd XI in Division 7 Central

Louis Grahame, 7/31 – St Matthias 1st XI in Division 5 Central

Gareth Fuller, 7/42 – Dormansland 1st XI in Division 8 Central

Each week throughout the season on the Sussex Cricket Foundation social media channels, the best 20 performances with bat and ball are featured (from across competitive recreational cricket in Sussex), thanks to the ECB’s Play-Cricket Honours Boards. 

Give the Sussex Cricket Foundation a follow on - X, Instagram, Facebook & TikTok and connect with the cricket community!

As the season gathers pace into June, don’t forget that The Dean Wilson Sussex Cricket League official website is the main place for comprehensive fixtures, results, statistics, standings and resources for clubs competing in the league.

Best of British Events lend support to Sporting Memories!

Best of British Events have kindly donated £1,500 to the Sussex Cricket Foundation to support one of their seven Sporting Memories clubs.

The generous donation will go towards financially supporting the running of the Hove club at the Central United Reformed Church on Blatchington Road.

The Sussex Cricket Foundation has run a successful Sporting Memories programme across the county for several years. 7 clubs operate across the county attended by over 90 participants, with over 25 volunteers helping to run the weekly sessions. 

Using the rich history and heritage of sport, Sporting Memories clubs are open to any people over the age of 50 who enjoy reminiscing about their experiences of watching or playing it. The sessions help those who suffer from dementia, loneliness or any other medical condition and help to create new friends and enjoyment.

Ryan Heal, Managing Director for Best of British Events said “We're very proud to sponsor the Sporting Memories group delivered by the Sussex Cricket Foundation which brings people together through their love of sport. The group provides an outlet for local sports fans to get together and connect on common ground. Many in the group suffer with dementia, depression or loneliness and these groups provide an important lifeline. Since 2009 guests at our Best of British Sporting Events have been entertained by the great and the good of the British Sporting World who share their sporting stories, experiences and achievements at each event." 

"This is why we are sponsoring this initiative as we fully appreciate and celebrate the positive impact of Sporting Memories."

Emma Brooke from the Sussex Cricket Foundation, who coordinates the programme added “Sporting Memories is such a wonderful way of bringing older sports fans together. I get to see first-hand the difference it makes to our members, who not only get to share their sporting experiences but form new friendships too. I regularly receive emails or am told when visiting our clubs how much they look forward to attending, it's a real highlight of their week. Supported by a fantastic group of trained volunteers our weekly clubs are thriving, full of fun and laugher and of course a bit of friendly competition!”

If anyone is interested in learning more about our Sporting Memories programme please visit our website page here or contact foundation@sussexcricket.co.uk

For more information on the Sussex Cricket Foundation, please read their latest Impact Report.

   Sussex Sharks made it two wins out of two in the Vitality Blast when they marked their first home fixture with victory over Gloucestershire by 80 runs.  But after their success last season it has been a disappointing start to the new campaign by Gloucestershire, who were beaten by just four runs in their high-scoring opener against Kent.

          They needed 174 for victory here but were bundled out for 93, with only three batsmen making double figures. After making a bright start to their chase Gloucestershire soon ran into trouble.  Ollie Robinson sent Cameron Bancroft’s off-stump cartwheeling to make it 19 for one and when D’Arcy Short was caught on the deep backward-square boundary they had lost both their Australian overseas players inside the first four overs.

           Miles Hammond then pulled a short ball from Tymal Mills to mid-wicket and one run later Jack Taylor had his off-stump pegged back by the first delivery of the match from James Coles.  It was 49 for five when Ben Charlesworth lofted Jack Carson to long-on.  Carson had been brought into the team to counter the high number of left-handers in the Gloucestershire team.

          The dangerous James Bracey was still there but he couldn’t find anyone to hang around with him.  It was 50 for six when Ollie Price, reverse sweeping, was caught behind off Carson and then Matt Taylor was stumped as he went down the wicket to Coles.  David Payne had his middle stump plucked out by by Mills to make it 88 for eight, Aman Rao was caught at mid-on to give Nathan McAndrew a wicket and finally Tom Smith was caught at midwicket to give Mills his third.

       Earlier, the Sussex innings had been built around a fine fourth wicket stand of 105 in ten overs by Tom Alsop and the in-form  Coles, before a collapse saw them lose their last seven wickets for 25 runs.

      Daniel Hughes looked in prime form on a true pitch, with a rapid outfield, and muscled six fours in his 19-ball 34 to give the home side some early impetus.  But he was caught in two minds over his shot selection and tamely lofted Price – who had already bowled Harrison Ward -  to mid-off.  And Gloucestershire made it two wickets in two balls when John Simpson sliced his lofted drive against Matt Taylor and watched in horror as Hammond pulled off a sensational one-handed diving catch to make Sussex 43 for three in the sixth over.

       But then Alsop (58 off 35, with six fours and two sixes) and Coles (43 off 27, with four sixes) pulled the match towards their side.  They set their violent tone when they each hit a six off the 11th over bowled by Tom Smith, which cost 17 runs.

         The 100 partnership came up in the 15th over.  But from 148 for three at 15.1, when Sussex fancied a total in excess of 200, their innings perished before steady Gloucestershire bowling backed up by an outstanding fielding outfit.  David Payne and Matt Taylor took three wickets apiece.  But Sussex had already made enough.

Sharks vs Gloucestershire: Guide to the Game

The Blast is back at The 1st Central County Ground, starting tomorrow with a Men's and Women's double-header clash against Gloucestershire. To help you plan your day 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

As well as general admission tickets, we are delighted to able to offer Sharks fans, two brand-new premium ticket offerings. 

The first gives you access to our new exclusive venue, the Silly Point Pub. Next we have the Blasting BBQ package. Both packages giving you a little something special on top of your match ticket.

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

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 on the matchday all the way the day until 10:30pm. 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. 

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.

Starting this Sunday 1st when the Sharks take on Gloucestershire 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.

Sharks vs Gloucestershire: Double Header

On Thursday both the Men's and Women's teams played their part in Blast history. A double-header at the home of cricket. The Men's team were victorious, and although the Women's side didn't get the win they desired, there was certainly a lot to be positive about. 

Now time for some history of our own. A double-header against Gloucestershire tomorrow at The 1st Central County Ground. Paul Farbrace and Alexia Walker have both named their squads for the fixture. 

Team News

Paul Farbrace has named a 16-player squad for the match, bringing in Henry Crocombe, who has returned from the England Lions.

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

Alexia Walker has picked a 12-player squad for her team's respective fixture at The 1st Central County Ground. Ava Lee joins the squad on loan for Hampshire. 

Squad: Adams, Buckle, Collis, Curling, Docherty, Green (c), Harman, King, Lee, O'Neill, Stanley, Westley

Start Times

The Women's match begins at 12pm, with the Men's match taking place from 4pm. Gate open from 1030am, with access granted to both games with a single ticket. 

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.

Ticket Information

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

James Coles smashed a career-best unbeaten 77 from 44 balls to set up a winning start to the Vitality Blast for Sussex Sharks as they held off Middlesex at Lord’s.

The 21-year-old’s destructive knock, which included five sixes and five fours, underpinned his unbroken fifth-wicket stand of 88 from 47 with Tom Clark and ensured that last year’s Blast semi-finalists totalled 202 for four.

That proved to be enough as the home side fell just short at 186 for seven in reply, despite a maiden T20 half-century by Ben Geddes (51 from 37) and Ryan Higgins’ fearless late display of hitting to rack up 44 from 16.

Middlesex made an early breakthrough after winning the toss and opting to bowl, with Noah Cornwell’s opening delivery dragged on by Harrison Ward before John Simpson (22 from 12) and Daniel Hughes really got the scoreboard moving.

Hughes began to open up after Simpson’s departure, flaying Henry Brookes for successive leg-side sixes but the Australian’s knock of 38 from 20 came to an abrupt end as Tom Helm’s fingertips deflected Coles’ drive onto the stumps at the non-striker’s end.

Luke Hollman’s astute spell of one for 38 prevented Sussex from gaining greater traction – although the leg-spinner’s figures were dented by a trio of sixes from Coles, who advanced to his third T20 half-century by drilling Cornwell over his head for four.

With Clark (26 from 21) taking on a supporting role, Coles scooped Higgins for another maximum as the pair accelerated during the death overs, taking 29 from the final nine balls of the innings to clamber above 200.

Former New Zealand captain Kane Williamson, making his Middlesex debut, provided brief fireworks at the start of their reply, hitting two sixes in 14 from 12 before he fell to Ward’s smart diving catch on the point boundary.

But, although Geddes pummelled both Tymal Mills and Brad Currie over the fence, Sussex’s seamers achieved a degree of accuracy that had eluded the home bowlers and the required run-rate soon soared.

Stephen Eskinazi (34 from 30) shared a partnership of 58 from 45 with Geddes before he fell to another boundary catch off Currie (two for 38), while Leus du Plooy and Jack Davies both departed cheaply as Sussex turned the screw.

However, a flurry of boundaries from Hollman (20 from nine) lifted the tempo and Higgins took up the baton, hammering two enormous sixes and two fours in the penultimate over to keep Middlesex’s faint hopes alive.

But Ollie Robinson (three for 27) kept his cool to send down a near-flawless final over, having Geddes caught in the deep and then yorking Higgins to seal Sussex’s victory.

By Ben Kosky, ECB Reporters Network supported by Rothesay

Henry Crocombe Added to England Lions Squad 

Sussex's Henry Crocombe has been called up to the England Lions' squad for the forthcoming two four-day matches against India A.

Crocombe returned to the Sussex squad last week in scintillating form, taking 6 wickets in the County Championship match against Hampshire at The Utilita Bowl. 

England Lions will first welcome India A to the Spitfire Ground, St Lawrence in Canterbury on Friday 30th May. The second match will take place at the County Ground in Northampton, starting on Friday 6th June.

Congratulations, Henry! #GOSBTS

Blast is back, and to kick things off it's a doubleheader as both our women and men take to the hallowed Lord's turf to face Middlesex on Thursday. 

For Paul Farbrace and his Sharks side, they will be hoping to repeat last year's efforts in the group stage - one that witnessed them claim nine victories from their 14 matches. It secured second place and, after a blistering win against Lancashire, an early Finals Day exit at the hands of Gloucestershire has Sussex waiting for a first T20 title since 2009.

Meanwhile, a busy offseason has handed Alexia Walker a permanent role as Head Coach of Sussex Women in what has been a testing yet positive start to life since the changes in structure to the women's game. This is the opening round of Vitality Blast matches for Walker's side, too, but have already enjoyed a fair bit of the white ball this season, competing in the One Day Cup and Women's County Cup - showing rapid improvement.

Team News

Paul Farbrace has named a 15-player squad for the short trip to Lord's:

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

Alexia Walker has picked a 14-player squad for her team's respective fixture at Lord's shortly before the men's match:

Squad: Adams, Buckle, Collis, Curling, Docherty, Gentry, Green (c), Harman, Lewis, O'Neill, Stanley, Westley, Harvey, MSL Taylor

The Opposition

Richard Johnson's Middlesex have found the T20 Blast a testing competition of late with bottom-two finishes in each of their previous four campaigns. They improved toward the end of last season, though, with strong wins over Gloucestershire and Glamorgan before defeat to the Sharks on the final day of the group stage.

New Zealand's Kane Williamson will be available for at least 10 Vitality Blast fixtures in a Middlesex shirt in 2025, but Ireland international Josh Little will miss out through injury. Max Holden, too, will be unavailiable due to his call-up to the England Lions side.

Walker's side went one step further in the T20 County Cup this season - both side's only experience of the format this season. Whilst Sussex swept aside Buckinghamshire in the opening round, eventually knocked our by Glamorgan Women, Middlesex Women fell to a 5-wicket defeat to Kent in the opening round.

But in the Metro Bank One Day Cup, Middlesex are flying high. Four wins from as many games has them leading the line at the top of Division Two, with Finty Trussler and Artemis Downer already raising a few eyebrows.

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 women's match gets underway today at 2.15pm, with the men's match commencing four hours later at 6.15pm. 

Tickets

Tickets for today's doubleheader can be bought here.

Well, the T20 campaign is here. And with it the rain returns to abandon tonight's warm-up with Berkshire at the 1st Central County Ground, originally scheduled for 7pm.

But this match will now be played tomorrow: 11am at the same venue. Tickets bought for tonight's clash will be automatically refunded, with entry free for all those joining us tomorrow morning. 

A reminder that the T20 Blast returns to Hove on Sunday, with a doubleheader against Gloucestershire. Both the women and men take to the field, and tickets can be purchased through this link.

Jack Carson’s five-wicket haul wrapped up a simple three-day victory for Sussex as they won on the road for the first time in the Rothesay County Championship this season.

Off spinner Carson found turn, bounce and a bagful of Hampshire wickets as he ripped through three of the four remaining batters to pick up five for 26 – his best of the campaign.

Hampshire were bowled out for 165, and despite Oli Carter falling, Tom Haines and Tom Alsop easily knocked off the 23 runs needed to take them past the winning line before lunch.

Sussex’s third win of their return to Division One came with 20 points, to keep tabs on the leading title contenders.

Hampshire began the day trailing by 29 runs, they had only whittled that down to 15 before Brad Wheal turned Carson around the corner to leg slip.

There was a mini-flash point when James Fuller and bowler Nathan McAndrew collided during a single. Liam Dawson wasn’t impressed, although the umpires calmed things quickly.

Dawson took the hosts into a slender lead, his two accompanied by a huge cheer, but just 10 runs later he tried to ride Carson’s turn, but tickled behind to John Simpson.

Dawson had been the main hope for Hampshire to test Sussex, but his exit for 48 saw Kyle Abbott edge to slip three balls later.

Henry Crocombe put Hampshire out of their misery when John Turner prodded a short ball to short leg.

Dawson managed to get Carter’s edge but it was a rare moment of joy as Sussex ticked off the runs in under 15 minutes.

It was a particularly revered victory for the visitors, with strike bowler Ollie Robinson rested with an ankle injury and overseas opener Daniel Hughes absent awaiting the birth of his first child.

Captain John Simpson had noted his side had “punched above expectation” so far this season. They leapfrogged Hampshire with the win, and also kept in touching distance of the title pacesetters.

Simpson’s third century of the season, in a 173-run stand with Fynn Hudson-Prentice, was the difference in the match, while Crocombe’s first appearance of the season was a huge success – four explosive wickets in the first innings were followed by a tidy two for 44 in the second.

For Hampshire, it was their first home defeat in the Championship since July 2023, with this only their fourth loss at Utilita Bowl since April 2019.

Although this fixture was the first between the two south coast counties in a decade, Sussex have still only lost once on this ground in 10 red ball outings – 20 years ago.

Hampshire have endured a rollercoaster trio of matches heading into the Vitality Blast portion of the season.

A dismal performance against Nottinghamshire was followed by a sensational victory at Edgbaston, which relighted excitement of a potential title charge, only for a seven session mauling.

Their six batting bonus points in the first block is only better than bottom-side Worcestershire, with only Ben Brown of the regulars to average over 40. Only he and Nick Gubbins have recorded centuries.

They didn’t get a batting point in this match, and only took three points from a dire week.

 By Alex Smith, ECB Reporters Network supported by Rothesay

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