Alexia Walker's Sharks head to The County Ground in Derby on Saturday to conclude not only their One Day Cup campaign, but their season as a whole.

And, on reflection, it's been an impressive year for this young squad that will only improve. The Sharks head up to Derbyshire looking to end 2025 on an even greater high.

Team News

Walker has announced a 13-player squad for the fixture at Derby, with Mollie Adams and Lottie Curling returning after their participation in the recent Super 4s competition. 

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

The Opposition 

It's been a difficult season for Derbyshire Women, who are still in search of a first win in the Metro Bank One Day Cup League Two. Despite these defeats, they can be buoyed by the batting of Ellie Nightingale and Megan Pittman, who have scored 78 and 50 respectively in the past couple of weeks. 

And with the ball Pagan Hardwick looked in fine form for her two wickets as the hosts look to end their 2025 on a positive note, too. 

Tickets 

Entry is FREE for the game, though the Monarch Security Pavilion will be closed to spectators.

Timings

The first ball will be bowled at 10.30am, with gates open 60 minutes beforehand.

Sussex Cricket Announces Ticket Ballot for England Women’s International T20 at Hove

Sussex Cricket is excited to announce the opening of the official ticket ballot for the England Women’s International T20 against New Zealand Women at The 1st Central County Ground, Hove, on Monday 25 May 2026.

The ballot will open on Tuesday 2 September 2025 and close at 11:59pm on Tuesday 30 September 2025. By entering the ballot, fans will have the chance to secure their place at this unmissable fixture – and purchase tickets at the lowest possible price before they go on general sale.

Taking place during the May half-term holiday, the match is the perfect opportunity for families to enjoy a night of world-class cricket together in a friendly, welcoming atmosphere.

England Women have a rich history at Hove – with two of the last three internationals at the ground selling out – making this one of the hottest tickets of the summer. 

The 2026 clash promises another night of high-energy, world-class cricket in a family-friendly atmosphere.

How the ballot works:

• Fans can enter the ballot for free via the Sussex Cricket website from 2 September
• Successful entrants will be notified on 1st October and given the exclusive opportunity to purchase tickets at the cheapest price available
• Any remaining tickets will be released for general sale on 15th October

Sussex Cricket Members and previous Women’s International purchasers will also be given an exclusive window to buy tickets before they go on general sale. 

Pete Fitzboydon, CEO of Sussex Cricket, said:

“It’s always special to welcome England Women to Hove, and we know how much these matches mean to our fans and the local community, who support Women’s sport so passionately.

“With two of the last three sell-outs, demand will be huge again in 2026, so the ballot is the best way to make sure you don’t miss out – and to get the best price.”

CLICK HERE TO VIST OUR ENGLAND WOMEN IT20 HOMEPAGE FOR ALL OF YOUR ON-SALE INFORMATION

Archie Lenham took five wickets as Warwickshire suffered Metro Bank One-Day Cup heartbreak after a 21-run (D/L) home defeat to Sussex caused qualification to slip through their fingers.

In a match reduced to 48 overs per side, Sussex totalled 277 for nine with only Tom Clark (82 from 77 balls) building an innings beyond the cameo stage. Olly Hannon-Dalby’s three for 53 was well-supported by the spinners who shared five wickets.

Warwickshire’s D/L target was adjusted to 280 from 48 overs and they were bowled out for 258 in 45.1 overs. Ed Barnard struck 82 (75) and Alex Davies (74, 90) but Archie Lenham took his maiden List A five-for - five for 48 – as the middle and lower order imploded.

That left Warwickshire’s players clinging to the hope of Middlesex losing to Lancashire – but half an hour later those hopes were extinguished as Middlesex snuck home by one wicket at Old Trafford.

Sussex chose to bat and soon lost Henry Rogers, caught by a diving Hamza Shaikh at extra cover off Hannon-Dalby, but Clark sped to a 45-ball half-century. After a short rain break, Daniel Ibrahim tickled a potential leg side wide from Rob Yates to wicketkeeper Kai Smith.

The fluent Clark was 18 short of emulating his championship century at Edgbaston in April when he lifted Tazeem Ali to deep mid-wicket. Batters throughout the tournament have learned that you attack the young leg-spinner at your peril – Tom Alsop joined the list when his top-edged slog landed in the hands of mid on.

John Simpson fell lbw, sweeping at Jake Lintott and as the innings stalled against the spinners, it needed late impetus. Danny Lamb provided some with a run-a-ball 42 before reverse-sweeping Lintott to deep point. Bertie Foreman (30, 33) lifted the total over 250 but, on a good batting pitch, Sussex appeared around 27 under par.

Warwickshire quickly lost Yates, who sliced a wide Sean Hunt half-volley to point. Zen Malik assured a brisk start with 27 from 25 balls but then hoisted Clark to long leg.

Barnard and Davies shifted the game their side’s way with a stand of 107 in 99 balls. Barnard was imperious, deploying sparkling footwork to the spinners, but his departure, caught at extra cover off Troy Henry, triggered a collapse.

Although out of the qualification picture, Sussex back fought back with great heart. Foreman ousted Shaikh, who reverse-swept to short third, and Lenham removed Davies, caught at extra, and Vansh Jani, bowled cutting, with successive balls.

Lintott swept Lenham to deep mid-wicket, Kai Smith played on and when Adam Sylvester edged to slip, Lenham had his five for. When Hannon-Dalby swung and missed at Henry Crocombe, the Bears were left hoping for a Middlesex defeat. They hoped in vain.

By Brian Halford, ECB Reporters Network supported by Rothesay

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."