Somerset v Sussex: Day One Report

Half-centuries from Tom Lammonby and Archie Vaughan guided Somerset into a healthy position on the opening day of the Rothesay County Championship Division One match with Sussex at the Cooper Associates Ground, Taunton.

Lammonby hit 60 and 19-year-old Vaughan a career-best 70 not out as a shuffled Somerset batting line-up posted 317 for six in warm sunshine after losing the toss. James Rew contributed 46 and Tom Abell 42 on a wicket offering just enough assistance to seam and spin to keep the Sussex bowlers interested throughout the day.

There were two wickets each for Ollie Robinson and Jack Carson as the visiting attack kept a tight rein on the scoring rate for most of the three sessions.

With the pitch an inviting shade of green, it was no surprise when Sussex skipper John Simpson elected to field first, despite cloudless skies and a short boundary on the town side of the ground. There was a surprise for home supporters when Josh Davey and skipper Lewis Gregory, both more used to operating in the lower order, marched out as a new opening partnership, keen to help their side overcome some poor starts in Championship cricket.

They had taken the score to 21 in the sixth over when Gregory edged a defensive push off Nathan McAndrew to Tom Clark at second slip and departed for 15. But the experiment could be deemed a success as Davey settled in to play with patience and sound technique.

He and Lammonby put together a half-century stand off 109 balls and it wasn’t until the 26th over that Sussex struck again, Davey, on 28, judged to have feathered a back-foot defensive shot off Ollie Robinson to wicketkeeper Simpson, who took a good low catch.

Davey was replaced by Rew with the score 79 for two. By lunch, it had moved on to 99 for two and Somerset could feel pleased with their morning’s work. Rew continued his impressive recent form as he and fellow left-hander Lammonby negotiated the opening overs of the afternoon session with few alarms.

Rew had progressed to 46 when attempting to drive a full ball from off-spinner Carson, who was finding some turn, and edging to Tom Haines at slip to make it 149 for three. A single off the same bowler took Lammonby to an impressive 120-ball fifty, including 5 fours, but he too perished unexpectedly with the score on 176, caught behind nicking a back-foot defensive shot off Carson.

Abell was dropped at slip on 13 off the left-arm spin of James Coles, but Sussex continued to make inroads as Tom Banton fell for six, caught at slip off Fynn Hudson-Prentice. It was another contentious decision as the ball appeared to flick Simpson’s gloves as he stood up to the stumps on its way to the catcher Tom Alsop, but umpire Mike Burns also detected an edge, much to Banton’s obvious astonishment.

The tea score was 193 for five, with Abell having battled his way to 16 without looking in great touch. He had been joined by Vaughan, also looking to rediscover his best form after a difficult spell opening the innings in previous games this season.

Both players blossomed at the start of the final session, accelerating the scoring rate and bringing up a 50-stand off 63 balls. A Vaughan boundary to third man off Clark yielded Somerset their first batting bonus point at 250 for five.

Vaughan had been positive from his first delivery, which he crunched through the off-side for four off Hudson-Prentice. Soon he had overtaken Abell, who fell in the third over with the second new ball, fending a ball from Robinson to Clark at second slip, just when he was starting to flow.

Vaughan moved to a fluent fifty off 79 balls with his ninth four, clipped off his toes to the short boundary off McAndrew. He then went past his previous best score of 68, made against Lancashire last season, as Craig Overton helped see Somerset to the close.

There weren't too many moments here, as the clouds blanketed Hove, where its hosts seemed perturbed by their neighbours Kent. From the outset Sussex kept a firm grip on this Metro Bank One Day Cup clash, scored big from their 50 overs and bowled well enough. It wasn't a complete performance, but it was one of merit. And, most importantly, a crucial victory that was thoroughly deserved. 

Minus the murk clinging to the skies above, things started brightly on the luscious turf below it. Mollie Adams, who is enjoying a fantastic opening to the campaign, scored big again here: finding the gaps neatly on her way to 76. A mere 7 boundaries - all along the ground - showed her expertise with the bat. It was intelligent cricket, not brutal batting. At the other end Izzy Collis played her part, too, making 39 from 54 balls and looking good in the process. She was run out by Tilly Callaghan to break the opening partnership - one that had spawned 117 runs in 21 overs.

That platform proved pivotal, for it provided others with a stage to shine. Mary Taylor marked her return with a quickfire 16, but it was the power hitting of Chiara Green and Nancy Harman that propelled Sussex into a promising position. Captain Green batted well, and sensibly too. She made a handsome 35 before also returning to the pavilion as result of a run out, but that opened the door to Harman, who smacked 41 runs off just 29 deliveries - including three huge blows down the ground - to lift Sussex ever closer to the 300 mark. 

By this stage Adams had been brilliantly caught by Callaghan, but with her head held high having made a century in her previous match in this tournament. Daisy Gibb arrived at the crease, and another blistering knock from very few balls (40 from 24) lifted Sussex to 300-8 at the change of innings. Kent bowlers powerless to the perfection of Sussex's hitting.

And so, Kent's innings. It was all a little too cautious to start, with the visitors comfortably below Sussex's run rate after 10 overs. Opener Megan Sturge actually had the game's finest knock - an elegant 93 from almost as many deliveries, yet by the time her opening partner Grace Poole was caught by Adams after 6.4 overs, Kent only had 19 runs on the board.

Fast forward to the 25th over, and Jess Bird and Sturge had formed a rather impressive partnership. Bird was to go here, however, caught and bowled by the economical Talitha Stanley for a well-manufactured 38. Still Sturge was in, though, upping the ante and giving Green a slight headache in the middle. But fears were quashed eight overs later when Sturge, going for a mighty heave, found the hands of Gibb. Out for 93. A cruel end to a very, very laudable innings.

From that moment it all became rather apparent: Sussex would be claiming victory in this most recent addition of the War of the Wealds. Indeed, there would be more wickets to fall as Gibb, Green and Eve O'Neill all chipped in as Kent fell 42 runs short of the target. A valiant effort, and had it not been for Sussex's swift start with the bat, things might have looked very different beneath the grey gloom of Hove. A moment for Alexia Walker and her young side to saviour. Things are only just getting started. 

As Ollie Robinson unearthed Ben Gibbon's off-stump late on Monday, Sussex earned a valuable victory in dramatic fashion over Worcestershire to lift them up to third in the County Championship Division One. Next up, a trip west to Taunton.

Team News

Paul Farbrace is still without the injured Sean Hunt, but there is a return to the squad for Danny Lamb, who has been sidelined with an injury picked up during the Surrey match last month. Australian bowler Nathan McAndrew returns to the Sussex squad for a third consecutive year, and he slots straight into Paul Farbrace's squad for Somerset having taken 11 wickets over two County Championship matches last season

Jayden Seales' time at Sussex is up for this season, having missed the previous fixture against Worcestershire with injury. James Hayes keeps his place in the squad having debuted last time out, taking the prized wicket of Henry Nicholls. 

Squad: Alsop, Carson, Carter, Clark, Coles, Haines, Hayes, Hudson-Prentice, Hughes, Karvelas, Lamb, McAndrew, Robinson, Simpson* (wk)

The Opposition 

It's been a surprising slow start to the 2025 season for Somerset who, as we arrive at the sixth matchday of the campaign, sit second from bottom - winning one of their opening five matches. Their first victory did, however, arrive just a few short days ago as they defeated Essex by three wickets in a tense finale.

Sussex and Somerset have already met this campaign at Hove - a match dominated by Sean Hunt, who took nine wickets in the match, propelled Sussex to a 260-run win. Tom Banton is Somerset's leading run scorer this season with 436 runs to his name, though 371 of those did arrive in one innings against Worcestershire. With the ball, Jack Leach's 17 wickets place him atop the bowling accolades this campaign.

Farbrace's Thoughts

The Head Coach was particularly pleased with his side's battling performance over Worcestershire. 

"The thing that I'm probably more delighted about is that, as a team, someone is always putting their hand up to perform. Jack Carson summed us up with his 100 in the first innings. James Hayes in the morning having travelled down the night before."

"Every game in Division One is a tough game. It doesn't matter who we're playing, we've proven that we can beat the best. We've already beaten Somerset. We've got two games that in years gone past in going to Taunton and Hampshire might have been games you'll be thing ooof. But I'm expecting the team to go there and play well. I'm expecting to go into the last day with the chance of winning the game. The level of expectation in our team is that we expect to turn up and play against the best teams. That's what we play Division One for."

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. 

Ticket Information 

Tickets are available to purchase online from the Somerset website. You can also buy tickets in person at the ground.

Sussex Sharks v Kent Women: Match Preview 

The Sussex Sharks Women return to The 1st Central County Ground tomorrow in the Metro Bank One Day Cup, welcoming Kent Women for the 50-over fixture. Alexia Walker names a 13-player squad. 

Squad

Mollie Adams, Anna Buckle, Izzy Collis, Lottie Curling, Kali-Ann Docherty, Daisy Gibb, Chiara Green, Nancy Harman*, Rachel King, Eve O’Neill, Talitha Stanley, Mary Taylor*, Millie Taylor*

Team News

Eagle-eyed Sussex Sharks fans will notice the addition of three familiar names: Nancy Harman, Millie Taylor and Mary Taylor. All three, who previously featured for the Sharks, have joined on short-term loan deals and go straight into the squad. 

The Story So Far

After two tricky openers against future Tier 1 teams in the Metro Bank One Day Cup, the Sharks bounced back in style away to the Worcestershire Rapids. A sublime 104 not-out from Mollie Adams ensured the Sharks left Worcestershire with not only a 29-run victory, but also a sense that the team were improving and on the right track. 

Walker has been able to bolster her squad with some additional quality and with players who are familiar to the set up, and she'll be hoping they can help the Sharks pick up crucial back-to-back 50-over wins. 

Ticket Information

It's set to be another scorcher at Hove tomorrow and with tickets starting from just £5, 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 Sussex Members, simply turn up with your membership card at Eaton Road.

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 10.30am. 

Ifield Cricket Club's Raj Cherodian Honoured by ECB 

Raj Cherodian, of Ifield Cricket Club in Crawley, West Sussex has been named as one of six inaugural Honorary Life-Presidents by the ECB. 

The six – three from the professional game and three from recreational cricket – were presented with commemorative silver bats to mark the honour at today’s ECB Annual General Meeting (AGM) in Southampton.

The six recipients are:

• Raj Cherodian – For over 30 years, Raj has volunteered at Ifield Cricket Club, dedicating himself to growing the game both locally and across the Sussex community. From fundraising for new facilities to coaching youth players, his commitment has been unwavering.
• Keith Cook – Keith retired this year after more than 50 years as Cricket Operations Manager at Warwickshire County Cricket Club. Since joining in 1973, he has been a constant presence through the club’s evolution—from portacabins to the modern Edgbaston. His embodiment of the 'Once a Bear, Always a Bear' spirit made him a beloved figure among players and staff alike.
• David Lawrence – A formidable fast bowler with 625 wickets in 280 matches for Gloucestershire and five Test appearances for England, David was the first British-born Black cricketer to represent the national team. Now President of Gloucestershire CCC, he continues to inspire with his courage and resilience following his diagnosis with motor neurone disease.
• Ron Pearson – Ron has spent 63 years transforming Gwersyllt Park Cricket Club into a true community hub. From player to secretary, his leadership has built vital facilities and nurtured youth development. He was also honoured with the “Lifetime Achievement Award” at the 2025 National Cricket Collective Awards.
• Helen Smith – Helen has devoted 47 years to Plymouth Civil Service & Roborough Cricket Club. From scoring and preparing teas to founding the Colts section and launching women’s cricket programmes, her passion has been central to the club’s growth.
• Alec Stewart – A legend of English cricket, Alec scored 8,463 Test runs across 133 Tests, setting the standard on the field and later as a coach and Director of Cricket. Under his leadership, Surrey CCC secured four county championships, including a historic three-peat. He remains a brilliant role model for the game.

Until now, the ECB had no formal process at the highest level for recognising those who have made significant contributions to the game. These new accolades will be awarded annually to a select few individuals who have helped grow the sport, broken down barriers, or given extraordinary service as players, volunteers, or employees. They represent the pinnacle of ECB recognition, alongside the Cricket Collective Awards and the Business of Cricket Awards.

Richard Thompson, ECB Chair, said: “It is a tremendous honour to recognise these six remarkable individuals as our first-ever Honorary Life Vice-Presidents. Each of them has made an extraordinary contribution to cricket — whether through decades of selfless volunteering, pioneering achievements on the field, or tireless work behind the scenes. Their stories are a powerful reminder of the many ways people enrich our game and help it thrive in communities across England and Wales.

“This new accolade is about more than just long service — it’s about impact. From grassroots dedication to leadership at the highest levels of the professional game, these individuals have broken down barriers, inspired generations, and left lasting legacies. They embody the very best of cricket’s values: passion, perseverance, and a deep commitment to inclusion and excellence.

“As we look to the future, it’s vital that we continue to celebrate those who devote themselves to our sport. These inaugural Honorary Life Vice-Presidents set a high bar, and I hope their recognition will inspire others to follow in their footsteps. On behalf of the ECB, I extend our heartfelt thanks and congratulations to each of them.”

With the AGM taking place today, the ECB’s Financial Statements for 2024/5 have also been published and are available to read here.

These show that in the year ended 31 January 2025, the ECB recorded a turnover of £319.6m with a pre-tax profit of £2.6m, exceeding expectations in a year without a home Ashes or India Men’s Test series.

The AGM also discussed data about the health of the game from last year, with figures showing an increased number of recreational fixtures recorded – up from 178,000 to 198,000 compared to 2023. There was also an increase in the number of clubs with a junior section (up from 2,635 to 2,693).

There continues to be strong growth in the women’s and girls’ game, with a 23 per cent increase in the number of women’s and girls’ fixtures compared to 2023, while the total number of girls’ teams has now hit 2,658 – a 21 per cent increase on the previous year.

Sussex Cricket Foundation Celebrates Successful Inaugural Golf Day at East Brighton Golf Club

One week on from the inaugural Sussex Cricket Foundation Golf Day, we are thrilled to reflect on what was a hugely successful and enjoyable event, held at the beautiful East Brighton Golf Club on Friday, 2nd of May 2025.

The day brought together Foundation supporters, sponsors, and Sussex Cricket players for a memorable day of golf in support of our mission to make a lasting impact across the Sussex community. With sunshine (most of the time) overhead and a fantastic atmosphere throughout, the event was a true celebration of sport, community, and generosity.

We extend our heartfelt thanks to all the teams who took part and contributed to the day’s success. Your enthusiasm, good spirit, and support were vital to making the event so special.

A huge thank you also goes to the Sussex Cricket players who joined us on the course. Their presence was a real highlight of the day, and we are incredibly grateful for their time, energy, and commitment to helping us raise vital funds for the Foundation's work.

We’re also deeply thankful to our generous sponsors, Webtrends Optimize, Yes Promo, Heineken and Harvey’s Brewery whose invaluable support made the event possible. Your backing not only ensured the success of the day but also plays a crucial role in enabling us to continue delivering life-changing programmes through cricket across Sussex.

With such a positive response and incredible support, we are already looking forward to making the Sussex Cricket Foundation Golf Day an annual event.

Here’s to building on this year’s success and continuing to bring people together for a great cause.

To everyone who participated, supported, and help organise – thank you!

To see the event photos click here

If you’d like to make a donation to Sussex Cricket Foundation click here

Sussex go into the final day of their County Championship fixture against Worcestershire with their noses in front after dismissing New Zealand stalwart Henry Nicholls and number four batter Kashif Ali late in the evening session.

An 81-run second-wicket stand from Nicholls and opening batter Jake Libby had steered the visitors into a decent position before Nicholls’ mistimed pull shot found the gloves of wicketkeeper John Simpson and gave Sussex debutant James Hayes his maiden first-class wicket.

England’s Ollie Robinson snagged the day’s final wicket in the penultimate over, extracting a thick edge from Ali, which fell to the grateful hands of James Coles at third slip.

Three down for 117-3 Worcestershire require a further 244 runs to win after twin fifties from Tom Alsop and Coles, and some tail-end bashing helped the hosts to a second innings lead of 360.

Any chance of a Worcestershire victory likely rests with Libby, who remains unbeaten on 64 (105 balls), accompanied by nightwatchman Ben Allison on three (6). Libby kept a steady head while wickets fell around him and cashed in on some loose Hayes deliveries to pass fifty with a thrashing cut shot.

Ari Karvelas took Sussex’s only wicket of the Worcestershire innings, bowling Gareth Roderick for four with a dipping yorker that snuck beneath the opener’s bat. 

The home side secured its dominant position in the morning session with a sturdy batting performance from Alsop and Coles. Both began the day in the twenties and took advantage of some loose deliveries from Worcestershire’s fast bowlers, striking 21 boundaries between them as the Sussex lead sailed past 250.

All-rounder Coles was particularly strong through the leg side, passing fifty with a forceful clip for four off Ben Gibbon in the 39th over. Alsop was equally convincing and reached his half-century one over later against the same bowler.

Their 125-run partnership took Sussex from a potentially dangerous situation to a likely insurmountable lead before both were dismissed lbw before the lunch break. Coles fell for a 132-ball 68, shouldering arms to an inswinger from Ben Waite before his batting partner played back to a sharp-spinning Fateh Singh delivery for 72 (136).

Their dismissals led to something of a mini-collapse for Sussex, who lost four wickets for 45 runs around the lunch break as captain Simpson 13 (45) and Hudson-Prentice were both caught behind off the bowling of Allison, for took 3-52 in the innings.

Despite the flurry of wickets, Sussex at 188-seven had extended its lead past 300 and now looked in the mood to attack as first-innings centurion Jack Carson combined with Robinson for a fiery rearguard stand of 47. 

Both targeted left-arm spinner Singh, who the former hit for consecutive fours in the 66th over, and the latter crashed for a long, straight six in the 72nd.

The fun came to an end soon after when both batters sprinted to the same end after a single and Robinson was run out for a feisty 30 (31). Singh, who finished with admirable figures of 3-58 from his 17.4 overs, took the final two Sussex wickets in quick succession as Sussex were dismissed for 256. He first bowled Karvelas for a single before last man Hayes edged a turning delivery to second slip.

Fynn Hudson-Prentice picked up a career-best five for 40 with his medium pace as Sussex took control of their Rothesay County Championship match against Worcestershire on the second afternoon.

After bowling Worcestershire out for 180, Sussex then stretched their overall lead to 170 by reaching 66 for three in their second innings by stumps, with Tom Alsop and James Coles confidently seeing out the day on 24 and 27 not out respectively. 

There was a scare for Sussex at the start of their second innings when they lost left-handed openers Tom Haines and Daniel Hughes, both for nought and without a run on the board.

Haines was bowled through an attempted drive by Tom Taylor, coming from around the wicket, and Hughes lost his off stump shouldering arms to one from Ben Allison – again bowled from an around the wicket angle, but which also nipped further in off the seam.

And Sussex were 18 for three when Taylor, following up his first innings five for 56, pinned Tom Clark leg-before for 10 with one that kept a little low. Alsop and Coles, however, calmed Sussex nerves in an unbroken stand of 48.

Hudson-Prentice first dismissed opener Jake Libby for 13 as Worcestershire struggled to make much headway against Sussex’s seam attack before lunch, and then took three wickets in three overs during a mid-afternoon spell that contributed significantly to Division One’s bottom team slumping to 111 for eight in reply to the home side’s first innings 284.

Worcestershire’s ninth wicket pair of Brett D’Oliveira and Taylor then added a defiant 51, playing some excellent shots amid a largely defensive rearguard action, but D’Oliveira edged the second ball after tea to a diving Coles at second slip to go for 30.

That was a second wicket for Clark, who finished with two for 29 and bowled his own medium pacers with good control in support of Hudson-Prentice, Ollie Robinson (two for 31) and Ari Karvelas.

Karvelas claimed only one scalp, Gareth Roderick edging to first slip on 21 mid-way through the morning session, but he also bowled a challenging line and length throughout an excellent afternoon spell on a well-grassed pitch that was always giving the seamers encouragement.

Robinson had quickly removed nightwatchman Ben Gibbon, caught behind for four, after Worcestershire resumed on seven without loss and they would have been more than three down at lunch if Kashif Ali had not been dropped at first slip from the second ball he faced.

Kashif, however, edged a push-drive at Robinson to keeper John Simpson on 13 soon after lunch, beginning a slide in which five wickets fell for 37 runs in 15 overs.

Henry Nicholls, who battled two hours for his 32, was the first victim in Hudson-Prentice’s mid-afternoon treble, undone by movement off the seam as he played defensively forward, and Ethan Brookes departed for 20 four overs later, again edging a Hudson-Prentice leg-cutter to Simpson.

Three balls later Matthew Waite was also back in the pavilion, pushing half-forward at Hudson-Prentice and nicking yet another catch to Simpson.

Like Waite, the left-handed Fateh Singh fell for nought as James Hayes – the 23-year old seamer on loan from Nottinghamshire – flew to his right at mid wicket to pull off a superb catch goalkeeper-style as Singh clipped Clark firmly off his pads.

The D’Oliveira-Taylor partnership at least gave Worcestershire some hope of staying in the contest but, after D’Oliveira’s dismissal, only another 18 runs were added before Hudson-Prentice ended Taylor’s brave 32 courtesy of Simpson’s sixth catch of the innings.

Glamorgan Women vs Sussex Sharks Women: Match Preview

Sussex Sharks Women's progression into the second round of the T20 Women's County Cup after beating Buckinghamshire earned them a trip to Sophia Gardens, with Alexia Walker's side just one game away from potentially hosting Tier One opposition.

The Opposition 

Sussex are no strangers to Glamorgan having played them at the same venue on the opening day of the season in the Metro Bank One Day Cup. On that day little under a month ago, Glamorgan came out on top with a 53-run victory - Bethan Gammon leading the charge with an impressive score of 72.

Glamorgan Women have since played two further matches in the One Day Cup, cruising to a 227-run win over Gloucestershire after narrow defeat to Middlesex. In the previous round of the T20 Women's County Cup, Glamorgan again played Gloucestershire, and again were on the winning side by a narrower margin of 33 runs.

Squad

Mollie Adams (wk), Anna Buckle, Izzy Collis, Lottie Curling, Chiara Green (c), Tia Joseph, Anna Lewis, Eve O'Neill, Talitha Stanley, Lucy Western, Jazz Westley, Phoebe Wilkinson

Ticket Information 

Entry to this match is free of charge, however free tickets need to be acquired from the Sophia Gardens Ticketing App.

How to Watch

The match can be live-streamed for free on Glamorgan's YouTube channel. 

The action gets underway today at midday.

Next Match

Alexia Walker's side are next back in action this coming Thursday, on 15 May as Kent Women make the short journey across to Hove in the Women’s One Day Cup.

If you're a Sussex Member, this game is included in your membership! If you're looking to purchase tickets, however, then the link can be found here. Tickets start from £5.