Sussex Sign Dom Goodman from Gloucestershire 

Sussex Cricket is pleased to announce the signing of pace bowler Dom Goodman from Gloucestershire on a three-year contract.

The 24-year-old right-arm seamer will officially join Sussex on 1st November 2025.

Born in Ashford, Kent, Goodman made his First-Class debut for Gloucestershire in 2021. Since then, he has featured in 16 First-Class matches, claiming 37 wickets at an average of 32.64. 

His standout performance came in April this year against Leicestershire, where he took match figures of 9 for 87.

Speaking on the signing, Sussex’s Director of Cricket, Paul Farbrace, said: “We are delighted that Dom has agreed to join us at Hove, as we see him as a real talent and someone that we think has a high ceiling in the game. 

“He is a very talented bowler and will be a great fit for us as a club both on and off the field. Dom has been so impressive to speak to during the recruitment process. 

“Dom has a very clear aim and plan as to how he wants to develop his game, and we have the right environment and coaching structure to work with him to help him achieve his goals, and for us to keep improving as a team and a club.

On moving to Hove, Goodman, said: “I'm incredibly excited to be joining Sussex next year. I was very impressed after chatting to the coaching staff, and it feels like the perfect place to continue my career. 

“I’ve enjoyed playing at Hove recently, and the strategic approach to winning games and how I fit into that is an awesome prospect. 

“I’ve admired Sussex’s recent performances in all formats, and I hope to help the side to further success. 

“The prospect of getting to know new teammates is exciting, and I can’t wait to get started.”

Sussex Cricket Society: Coach Travel to One Day Cup Match

The Sussex Cricket Society will be running a coach trip to the away One Day Cup match against Northamptonshire on Sunday 17th August.

The coach will be leaving The 1st Central County Ground at 7am and there will be free parking at Hove for the day for those that need it. 

Northants have kindly given the Sussex Cricket Society free match tickets for the match. The total cost will be £40 a head, which will purely cover the cost of transport. 

If you would like to join us, please email richardlintott@sky.com and pay the money to the Sussex Cricket Society bank account of the same name. Sort code 60-13-09 and account number 57843570 and very important, put your name in the reference. 

Closing date for applications will be Friday 1st August 

Sharks Double Header: Guide to the Game

The Blast is back at The 1st Central County Ground today, with a special double header! To help you plan your day and night 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

Tickets are still available to purchase for the game, we highly recommend you act quickly and book your tickets before making your way to the game. Plus, if you fancy a cheeky upgrade, why not check out our new Silly Point Pub package.

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

Sixes Social Cricket

If you've been to the ground recently you may have noticed our very own Sixes Social Cricket bar. If you haven't, then where have you been?! 

Our Sixes Social Cricket Bar will open for the duration of the match. Full to the brim with fantastic food and drink to fuel you up with the net session of your dreams. Take on the Sussex Sharks stars and test your six-hitting skills.

Head to the bar, located behind the Webtrends Optimize Sharks Stand tomorrow to book your net. 

Plus, if you fancy a cheeky drink after the game, Sixes will remain open until 1030pm.

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.

Today 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.

Pride Inclusivity and Sussex Cricket Foundation

Today's double-header is special for two reasons! The first is that today's game will be a celebration of Pride & Inclusivity at Sussex Cricket. Our players will be wearing special Pride training tops, you'll see plenty of rainbow flags and decorations around the place, plus we are holding a special pre-match event in Sixes to bring together people from all backgrounds.

Secondly, we'll also be playing the game in aid of the Sussex Cricket Foundation, giving you the chance to support our charitable arm, whilst supporting the Sharks. To find out more how you can support the Foundation, please click here. 

Sensory, Inclusion and Quiet Room

Sussex is proud to have opened its very own Sensory, Inclusion and Quiet Room. Our Sensory Room is a safe and relaxed environment where supporters who may need time away from the main seating areas to enjoy the game from. If you feel you may require this service, please approach a member of staff today.

One ticket, two matches - yes, it's another doubleheader at Hove as both our women's and men's teams grace the turf for their respective Vitality Blast matches. Alexia Walker's side entertain Middlesex Women, whilst Paul Farbrace's side return to immediate action to host Hampshire Hawks a little later on in the evening.

For Walker, she can take immense pride in her side's progress this season. Even if the chance of progressing to the next stages of the competition may not come to fruition this time around, two excellent victories already secured can harvest plenty of positives nonetheless. Victory today, though, would make things interesting at the top end of the table.

Farbrace's team will have a quick turnaround following last night's venture to Kent, and they'll host a Hampshire outfit who head into the match fresh having not played a white ball match since last month.

Last night's victory keeps the Sharks third, just six points off the top with a game in hand. A win over Hampshire would see Sussex shift into second as we near the group stage's climax.

Team News

Alexia Walker has named a 13-player squad for the hosting of Middlesex Women with the arrival of Daisy Mullan, who slots straight into the side. 

Adams, Buckle, Curling, Docherty, Gentry, Green (c), Harman, Lee, Lewis, Mullan, O'Neill, Stanley, Wilkinson

Paul Farbrace names an unchanged squad to the one that travelled to Kent last night.

Alsop, Carson, Clark, Coles, Crocombe, Hudson-Prentice, Hughes, Lamb, McAndrew, Mills (c), Robinson, Simpson (wk), Thomas, Ward

The Opposition | Middlesex Women

Despite eventual defeat, it was a moment to savour for many attached to the Sharks Women side as the reverse fixture was held at Lord's. And for large swathes of the match the Sharks managed to keep a strong Middlesex side in check, eventually coming up short in the run chase in the Blast opener. 

Middlesex have more than demonstrated their capabilities in the competition this campaign, having won four of their opening five matches. They sit in second, holding an identical record to leaders Glamorgan, with three games to play.

The Opposition | Hampshire Hawks

It was all going swimmingly for our neighbouring county in the white ball game to start with - winning each of their opening three matches - before defeat at Kent set up a wobble period that they have yet to escape from. Winless in their last five matches, chances of qualification are still very much possible but they'll need to turn things around swiftly to get back on track.

Toby Albert and James Vince have scored the most runs in the competition for the Hawks thus far, but for the latter in particular, it has not been quite the same level of dominance at the crease as we are used to. That can change, though, and with the excellent Liam Dawson in the squad, they are a force when in command.

Start Time

The opening fixture between Sussex Sharks Women and Middlesex Women will begin at 3pm, whilst the men's match is set for a 7pm finish. Gates open at 1.30pm.

How to Watch

You will be able to watch every ball, free of charge, of the Women's clash 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.

Our hosting of Hampshire this evening will be shown live on Sky Sports Cricket, and so will not be available to watch on our Match Centre.

Ticket Information

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

Outdoor Cinema Spectacular Kicks Off New Era for 

The 1st Central County Ground

This August, The 1st Central County Ground will transform into an open-air cinema for a full weekend of film, fun and festivities — and it’s completely free to attend.

On Saturday 9th August, enjoy an afternoon screening of Wicked, followed by a dazzling evening showing of Mamma Mia!. Then on Sunday 10th August, families are invited to a magical afternoon screening of Disney’s Frozen — the perfect summer day out for children and musical lovers alike.

This isn’t just about the movies — it’s a full-day celebration for the whole community, with additional family-based entertainment provided prior to the screenings, such as: 

• Face painting
• Interactive games and family activities
• Live pre-show entertainment
• A wide range of food and drink from local vendors

Hosted by BBC Sussex, Surrey & Kent’s Allison Ferns, this cinema weekend also marks the start of an exciting new chapter for The 1st Central County Ground, as it continues its evolution into a vibrant, year-round community venue. 

While cricket remains at the core of the ground’s identity, this is the first of many non-cricketing and community-focused events set to bring more people into the heart of Hove.

Pete Fitzboydon, CEO of Sussex Cricket, said: "This is a really exciting step for us. We want The 1st Central County Ground to be more than just a brilliant place to watch cricket — we want it to be a place where the whole community comes together to share amazing experiences. The outdoor cinema weekend is just the beginning."

To find out more and for information on how to claim free tickets, please visit: https://sussexcricket.co.uk/2025-summer-cinema

Lord March’s Racing XI to play Sussex Cricket Foundation in Alan Lee Memorial Match at Qatar Goodwood Festival

• The Alan Lee Memorial cricket match to take place on Tuesday 29 July after racing at Qatar Goodwood Festival, presented by Visit Qatar.
• Lord March's Racing XI will play Sussex Cricket Foundation’s Select XI in Twenty20 charity game.
• Funds raised will go to Sussex Cricket Foundation to support its programmes, making cricket more accessible to the local community.

Goodwood is delighted to announce that this year’s charity cricket match, which takes place during Qatar Goodwood Festival presented by Visit Qatar, will be between Lord March's Racing XI and Sussex Cricket Foundation.

The Alan Lee Memorial Trophy will be played at Goodwood Cricket Club on Tuesday 29 July from 5.30pm, in aid of Sussex Cricket Foundation. The Foundation works to help increase awareness and grow the game from grassroots level, making it accessible to all and supporting diversity while raising funds for its local programmes.

Lord March's Racing XI will comprise of a number of horseracing personalities. Meanwhile, Sussex Select XI will feature members of the Sussex Women's Team, Sussex Disability Cricket Team, ex-professionals and local club cricketers.

The match is played every year in front of Goodwood House in memory of racing and cricket journalist Alan Lee, who passed away in 2015.

Cricket is the oldest of the sports played at Goodwood and has been supported by all the Dukes of Richmond. It has been associated with Goodwood since at least 1702. The earliest known written laws of cricket were drawn up for a game between the 2nd Duke of Richmond and Mr Broderick of Peper Harow in 1727.

Gary Wallis-Tayler, Community Cricket Director at Sussex Cricket, said: "I am delighted that Goodwood has chosen to support the Sussex Cricket Foundation this year. It gives us the perfect opportunity to showcase the work of the Foundation, strengthen our links with the local community and showcase players from our various Sussex teams. I hope this is the start of a successful long-term partnership with Goodwood and I am extremely grateful for its support.”

James Crespi, Goodwood Racecourse Director, said: “Renowned as England’s greatest sporting estate, a love of sport is at the heart of all that we do here at Goodwood. We want to ensure that sport is accessible to all, whether that’s horseracing, golf, motorsport, or cricket. We are proud to be raising money for Sussex Cricket Foundation as they play Lord March’s Racing XI after a superb afternoon of horseracing at Qatar Goodwood Festival presented by Visit Qatar.”

Before the charity match gets underway, Sussex Cricket Foundation will host a girls’ softball tournament between 3pm and 5.30pm. at Goodwood Cricket Club. For more information and entry details about the 6-a-side Dynamos Softball, contact lara.johnson@sussexcricket.co.uk.

Tickets

Tickets, dining, and hospitality are on sale for Qatar Goodwood Festival presented by Visit Qatar. Visit Goodwood.com or call 01243 755055 to find out more. 

About Goodwood Cricket Club
Cricket is the oldest of the sports played at Goodwood and has been supported by all the Dukes of Richmond. It has been associated with Goodwood since at least 1702, as evidenced in a receipt for brandy. The oldest set of cricket rules still in existence were written for a match between the 2nd Duke and Mr Brodrick of Peper Harow, near Godalming. They are today kept with the Goodwood collection in the West Sussex Record Office in Chichester. A replica is on display in the pavilion at Goodwood.

The Goodwood Cricket colours (red and yellow) originate from the Duke’s Racing Colours. Sometime after their use on the Estate the MCC also used the same colours. The 4th Duke had been a backer of Thomas Lord and was a prime mover in the foundation of the MCC. James Lillywhite Jnr, England’s first ever Test captain, was born and played his cricket at Goodwood, whilst Hilda, the 8th Duchess played for the White Heather Ladies Cricket Club, the first ever women’s cricket club. Today the cricket ground is used by The Staff XI, Goodwood CC and Chichester PPCC.

About the Qatar Goodwood Festival presented by Visit Qatar
The Qatar Goodwood Festival presented by Visit Qatar is one of the undisputed highlights of the British flat racing season. Affectionately known as ‘Glorious Goodwood,’ the world-famous five-day festival is a sporting and social occasion like no other, unrivalled style, superb racing, and hospitality experiences to savour mean it’s not to be missed. The 2025 event takes place from Tuesday 29 July to Saturday 2 August. The week is headed by three Group 1 races, including the £500,000 Al Shaqab Goodwood Cup, the £1 million Qatar Sussex Stakes, and the £600,000 Visit Qatar Nassau Stakes.

About Sussex Cricket Foundation
As Sussex Cricket’s charitable arm, the foundation’s aim is to actively change lives through cricket across the community. Using the game and the Sussex Cricket brand to deliver accessible and enjoyable opportunities that grow the sport, tackle inequalities, improve health and wellbeing and enable people to fulfil their potential.

Through activities, SCF looks to make cricket accessible to all, no matter what type of cricket experience you are looking for. Cricket relies on the contribution and support of volunteers, who keep clubs running, officiate at matches, coach and develop players of all ages and prepare and keep the grounds we play on. SCF offer’s support and training to help these volunteers continue to develop the clubs they love.

Sussex Cricket Foundation’s 2024 Impact Report: sussexcricket.co.uk/sussex-cricket-foundation/impact-report-2024

It's out with the red ball, and in with the white ball as the Vitality Blast returns for its final group stage leg. And for the Sharks, who have played excellently in their opening seven matches, make the short hop over the county border into Kent for an evening clash under the Canterbury lights.

The Sharks headed into the short white ball break on the back of a defeat at Surrey, but are currently placed in third having played a game fewer than those around them. Four wins, two draws and a no result hand Paul Farbrace's side 18 points thus far. The same number, in fact, of tonight's opponents...

The Opposition

Whilst their red ball campaign may not quite be what Head Coach Adam Hollioake would have wished for in his first season at the club, their white ball cricket has been very impressive indeed. Despite setbacks at home to Gloucestershire and away to Surrey - where they lost on the final ball - the Spitfires have acquired excellent victories over Somerset and Hampshire. They sit in fourth, where a victory would take them above the Sharks.

The two sides are yet to meet in any competition this season, but will face off twice in a five-day period as the Spitfires head to Hove on Wednesday evening. Kent have strengths in plenty of departments, with captain Sam Billings a perennial threat with the bat and behind the stumps. Tawanda Muyeye continues to shine out in the middle, whilst the overseas seamer, Tom Rogers, has excelled in his second spell with the club.

Previous Encounters

In the Blast last year, it was the Sharks that commandeered both group stage matches, winning both in fairly serene style. 

Over the years, the two counties have met on 36 occasions in T20 cricket. Sussex have won 16 of the matches, including the previous three meetings, whilst Kent just about have the head-to-head edge, claiming 17 victories. There have been two no results, and one tie.

Team News

Paul Farbrace has named a 14-player squad for the trip to Canterbury. Tom Alsop and Harrison Ward both return to the squad following their injuries, whilst Fynn Hudson-Prentice returns to the squad following his loan move to Derbyshire.

Alsop, Carson, Clark, Coles, Crocombe, Hudson-Prentice, Hughes, Lamb, McAndrew, Mills (c), Robinson, Simpson (wk), Thomas, Ward

Start Time

Tonight's match will commence at 6.30pm.

How to Watch

You will be able to watch every ball, free of charge, of the Kent clash 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

Limited tickets remain available for this evening's clash in Canterbury, and can be purchased from the Kent Cricket website by clicking this link.

Warwickshire batted through a rain-affected final day to draw their Rothesay County Championship match with Sussex at Hove.

Tom Latham led the way with 69 and there were half-centuries for skipper Alex Davies and Sam Hain with Warwickshire on 260 for four, a lead of 142, when the players shook hands at 4.50pm. Sussex took 14 points, Warwickshire 13.  

After only 21 wickets had fallen on the first three days there was little likelihood of a clatter on day four, and the already slim odds on Sussex forcing a victory lengthened when 18 overs were lost to rain and bad light before lunch.

Sussex employed spin for most of the day with Ollie Robinson even bowling two overs of off-breaks to support the efforts of off-spinner Jack Carson and slow left-armer James Coles, who bowled 53.3 overs between them.

There was some occasionally sharp turn out of the rough and with men clustered around the bat Warwickshire’s batters needed to be diligent and they were. The only disappointment was that neither Davies nor Latham, who were well set, could convert their hard work into a century. Hain’s unbeaten 53 came off 170 balls and he didn’t hit a single boundary.

Warwickshire began on 88 for one, still 30 runs behind, and they knocked off 20 of that deficit in the 25 minutes before bad light followed by rain forced the players off.

When they returned Coles struck with his third ball, which spun a little and Davies edged it to slip where Tom Haines held a reflex catch to his left. Davies’ 58 – his fifth fifty of the season – included nine fours.

Carson had been expected to bowl from the sea end, where Warwickshire’s off-spinner Corey Rocchiccioli had taken his six wickets, but it was Coles who settled into a long spell up the slope instead. Robinson, hoping his higher release point might disconcert the batters, gave him a brief respite before Coles returned in the 58th over to pick up a second wicket with his third ball back.

Latham, having played well for 69, clipped a ball to short leg and Dan Ibrahim clung on to the ball at chest height. The New Zealander had batted for more than three hours and looked good for a few more.

At one stage Coles bowled to a ring of four fielders 15 yards from the bat on the off side before going off halfway through his 21st over. Carson, meanwhile, was into his 31st over before getting a belated reward for his efforts when Zen Malik (44) was caught at leg slip off bat and pad.

When Carson came off Fynn Hudson-Prentice bowled some off breaks of his own and even opener Dan Hughes turned his arm over before a halt was called.

By ECB Reporters Network, supported by Rothesay 

James Coles made 150 to help Sussex to a first innings lead over Warwickshire in their Rothesay County Championship match at Hove. The visitors ended day three on 88 for one, still trailing by 30 runs.

Coles’ second successive Championship hundred helped Sussex take a first-innings lead of 118 after their first innings ended on 433, 20 minutes after tea on day three.

It left Warwickshire with 24 overs to get through to stumps and they closed on 88 for one, losing Rob Yates for 11 when he inside-edged a fine ball from Ollie Robinson onto his middle stump.

Off-spinner Jack Carson nearly broke through late on but Daniel Ibrahim put down a tough chance at short leg to reprieve skipper Alex Davies, who has so far added 66 with Tom Latham as Warwickshire closed 30 runs in arrears. But the effects of a slow pitch and the Kookaburra ball are likely to ensure a stalemate, especially with some rain in the forecast on the final day.

Coles, 21, made an unbeaten 148 against Durham last week and followed it up with his sixth first-class hundred, sharing stands of 73 with Dan Ibrahim (36), 59 with John Simpson (30) and 50 with Fynn Hudson-Prentice (45) before he was sixth out, caught behind via an inside edge off Ethan Bamber.

He had to be patient for long periods. Even without Chris Rushworth, who injured his hamstring after sending down just three overs on the second day, Warwickshire bowled diligently and fielded well. Coles, unbeaten on 50 overnight, brought up his hundred with an edge to the third boundary just before lunch, but it was one of the few unconvincing shots he played in nearly six-and-a-half hours at the crease when he faced 294 balls, an outstanding effort on another day of sweltering heat at Hove. He hit 19 fours and pulled a six into the pavilion off Oliver Hannon-Dalby.

Warwickshire’s hard work in the field was epitomised by Rocchiccioli, the Western Australian who arrived in England for his first taste of county cricket last month having taken 84 Sheffield Shield wickets since the 2023/24 season. Here he followed up his six wickets on debut against Somerset at Edgbaston last week with six more. Three came on the second day and he had to plug away from the sea end until his 18th over today for further reward when Carson (28) was smartly taken at leg slip.

Rocchiccioli then polished off the innings by removing Gurinder Sandhu and Henry Crocombe with successive deliveries. The 328 balls he sent down was the most in an innings by a Warwickshire bowler since Ashley Giles bowled 68.3 overs against Yorkshire at Headingley in 1996. He just about had the strength to doff his cap to acknowledge the appreciative applause of the crowd after he’d sent down his 50th over.

Bamber was the pick of Warwickshire’s seam attack, picking up Ibrahim who played around a straight one as well as Coles and there was a wicket apiece for Yates and Ed Barnard. 

ECB Reporters Network, supported by Rothesay

Half-Price Entry: Day 4 vs Warwickshire

Entry to the fourth and final day of Sussex vs Warwickshire in the Rothesay County Championship Division One is half-price for all spectators. 

The game is evenly poised going into the final day, with both sides still hopeful of victory. Click here to purchase your half-price tickets for the game.