Free entry to Day 3 of Sussex vs Somerset
Free Entry to Day Three of Sussex vs Somerset
Division One cricket returns to The 1st Central County Ground on Friday when we welcome Somerset for our second match in the County Championship this season. And to celebrate, we've made entry to Day Three on Sunday 13th April free of charge to all supporters!
We'd love to see as many of you as possible at Hove this weekend supporting the team as they continue their journey in Division One.
To redeem your free ticket, please visit our ticketing website and register for yours now. You must register online for a ticket in advance. This will help to reduce queues on the morning.
Claim your free tickets HERE.
Warwickshire vs Sussex - Day Two Report
Warwickshire vs Sussex Day Two Match Report
Bowlers continue to suffer in the Birmingham sunshine as an opening-round runfest unfolds between Warwickshire and Sussex in the Rothesay County Championship Division One at Edgbaston.
Sussex have returned to the top tier in style by amassing 528 all out after captain John Simpson added a superb unbeaten 181 (262 balls) to Tom Clark’s opening day century. Warwickshire’s injury-hit attack, led by debutants Ethan Bamber (four for 105) and Tazeem Ali (three for 103), plugged away nobly but found the going tough in good batting conditions.
Sussex’s hopes of turning that strong total into a victory were then held up by the home batters who responded with 223 for three. Rob Yates closed the second day on 113 (148 balls) after captain Alex Davies launched the reply with an aggressive 66 (65 balls).
Edgbaston pitches in recent years have tended to flatten out as matches lengthen, so it is difficult to see either side forcing a victory. Both would probably be happy enough with a solid draw from their season-opener.
Sussex resumed on the second day on 386 for five and were given early impetus by Jack Carson’s punchy 28 before he lifted Ed Barnard to deep square leg in pursuit of his fourth boundary of the over. Fynn Hudson-Prentice was soon lbw to Bamber but the implacable Simpson was joined by Danny Lamb (35, 71) in a stand of 85 in 25 overs.
Lamb and Ollie Robinson fell lbw to successive balls from Tazeem and Simpson’s hopes of challenging his career best 205 ended when Jayden Seales scooped Michael Booth to mid-wicket.
Warwickshire opening batters Davies and Yates enjoyed their moments of good fortunes against the new ball attack of Robinson and Seales but batted positively and the score advanced briskly as soon as the ball softened. Davies hit 11 fours on his way to a 48-ball half-century as his side eased to 112 without loss from 21 overs at tea.
They reached that point without taking risks which made Davies’ departure, slashing the third ball of the evening session, a wide, short offering from Seales, to third man all the more strange. Hamza Shaikh (23, 48) helped the steady Yates to add 56 in 14 overs but was undone by a lovely ball from Carson. Having seen a flighted delivery driven for four earlier in the over, the off-spinner looped up another which turned sharply to bowl the batter through a drive.
That left Warwickshire, needing 379 to avoid the follow on, 172 for two with 17 overs left in the day. Yates chugged on to a 132-ball hundred but the departure of Sam Hain, who edged Seales to slip with 17 balls left in the day, sent Sussex off the field with a spring in their step and feeling that a strong morning tomorrow could keep the door open to them returning to Division One with a very impressive win.
Report by Brian Halford, ECB Reporters Network supported by Rothesay
Reaction from John Simpson at stumps on Day Two
Warwickshire vs Sussex - Day One Report
Centuries by Tom Clark and John Simpson ensured that Sussex returned to the Rothesay County Championship Division One with a strong day’s work against Warwickshire at Edgbaston.
Clark struck an accomplished 140 (279 balls) and Simpson an assertive unbeaten 116 (142) in a partnership of 200 in 44 overs as Sussex recovered from 40 for three to close on 386 for five.
Three early wickets for debutant Ethan Bamber appeared to vindicate Warwickshire’s decision to bowl first, but thereafter it was a struggle for an attack missing injured first choice opening bowlers Olly Hannon-Dalby and Chris Rushworth.
Clark and Simpson took full advantage to post their fourth and 16th first class centuries respectively.
Warwickshire, their squad in deep transition, started the season with four debutants - Bamber, Vishwa Fernando, Tazeem Ali and Kai Smith - and two of the newcomers opened the bowling to very different effect. Fernando went for three fours in his first over of a fruitless spell but Bamber unfurled an excellent opening burst of 7-5-8-3. The former Middlesex all-rounder trapped Tom Haines lbw, playing across the line, then removed Daniel Hughes and Tom Alsop with successive balls. Hughes copped an arguable lbw decision before Alsop edged an outswinger to Rob Yates at second slip.
The brittle foundation of 40 for three was diligently shored up by a stand of 121 in 37 overs between Clark and James Coles (51, 102). The latter played fluently to be first to his half-century but then rather gave it away when he skied an ill-judged leg-side swipe at Tazeem to give the 18-year-old leg-spinner his first championship wicket.
Any hopes the sizeable home crowd harboured of another Sussex clatter proved ill-founded. Instead, Simpson joined Clark to make it back-to-back century stands.
Sussex skipper Simpson enjoyed a superb first season at Hove last year, averaging 74.81 with the bat in the championship, and resumed in the same vein as he breezed to a 58-ball half-century. Clark, meanwhile, concentrated implacably and reached his fourth first class century, from 223 balls, with his 15th four, cut off a short delivery from Dan Mousley.
On a pitch offering little assistance for the bowlers, the limitations of Warwickshire’s injury-hit attack became clear as the fifth-wicket pair’s partnership passed 150. The depleted nature of that attack does raise a question mark over Warwickshire’s decision to bowl first, though that decision might have a bit to do with the recent history of Edgbaston pitches to flatten out as the match goes on, making wickets even harder to acquire.
Clark perished six overs before the close when he edged Ed Barnard behind but in the next over Simpson followed him to three figures, becoming the first Sussex player ever to reach a first class century with a three to backward point on a Friday in Birmingham. Sussex’s return to Division One has been highly encouraging.
Report by Brian Halford, ECB Reporters Network supported by Rothesay
Day One Reaction from Centurion Tom Clark
Warwickshire vs Sussex
Warwickshire vs Sussex: Match Preview
After an absence of ten years from the top division of County Cricket, the wait is finally over. Tomorrow Sussex begin life in Division One of the Rothesay County Championship at Edgbaston to take on Warwickshire. Paul Farbrace has named a 14-player squad for the season opener.
Squad
Alsop, Carson, Carter, Clark, Coles, Haines, Hudson-Prentice, Hughes, Hunt, Karvelas, Lamb, Robinson, Seales, Simpson* (wk)
Farby's Thoughts
Having won eight of our 14 games in Division Two in 2024, Men's Head Coach Paul Farbrace is under no illusions when it comes to the quality his team will face in the top tier of the County Championship, however he has been clear with his players, that he still expects them to compete in the top half of the division:
"A lot of people have spoken to me about how survival should be our goal and that is absolutely not the case. There is no point in us turning up to Division One and just making up the numbers. We have joined because we want to play and compete against the best teams."
"We want to show that we deserve to be there. I said no reason why we can't compete and challenge the top sides."
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.
Sussex vs Somerset Ticket Information
There is just over a week until we return to The 1st Central County Ground for red-ball action, welcoming Somerset to Hove for our first County Championship home fixture of the season.
Tickets are available to purchase online now. Buying online is the quickest and easiest way to secure your seat, save a bit of extra cash AND protect yourself if it rains.
How to register for our free livestream service
How to Register for our Free Livestream Service
The season is oh so close! For 2025 all supporters will need to register online to watch our free livestream service. To help you through the process we have pulled together some user-friendly instructions.
Why have we added a registration wall to the stream?
By adding a registration wall to our free livestream, it will give us a much better understanding of who is watching and in turn, this will allow us to improve the user experience moving forward.
Can I still watch on YouTube?
Yes, our stream will still be available on YouTube, however if you'd like to keep up with the live stats, clips and scoreboard, you'll need to watch on our Match Centre.
I am a Member/ticket purchaser, do I need to register?
Yes. All viewers will need to register to watch the stream on our website. This is because our ticketing and Membership platform is hosted by a third party.
How do I get started?
Please click the button below to open up instructions on how to sign up ahead of the season opener on Friday.
Sussex hosts inspiring "This Girl Can" event
Inspiring Girls to Get Active: Brighton and Hove's This Girl Can Be Inspired Event
Eight Brighton and Hove schools joined the second-ever This Girl Can Be Inspired event, aimed at empowering girls through sport, wellbeing, and education.
Brighton and Hove School Games Organiser Emma Greenough, Gemma Finlay-Gray from Active Sussex, and Charlotte Burton from Sussex Cricket organised the event, which was held on Friday, March 14, at The 1st Central County Ground.
It offered an inspiring and educational experience for students, with each participating school bringing ten students to explore topics such as the menstrual cycle, the importance of sports bras, and their experiences of sport and physical activity in school.
This year’s guest speaker, Manjinder Nagra, a former international rugby player and past president of the Sussex Law Society, shared her inspiring journey.
Manjinder recounted her path from discovering rugby at university to representing England Students and England South, becoming the first Asian woman to play at that level.
Although her family had different expectations for her future, she described rugby as “the best life decision I made.”
Her involvement in the sport not only shaped her career in law, but also inspired her to establish a girls’ rugby section at Hove Rugby Club and a multicultural walking rugby group in Hangleton for participants aged 18 to 82.
Manjinder encouraged students to “dream big, be bold, and back yourself,” while emphasising the importance of surrounding themselves with supportive people.
The event addressed key issues surrounding girls’ participation in sport, such as the Sport England Active Lives CYP data, which found that while 51 per cent of boys are likely to be active, only 45 per cent of girls participate regularly.
In Brighton & Hove, the Safe and Well at School Survey discovered only 15 per cent of girls were active for one hour a day compared to 27 per cent of boys.
Meanwhile, the Youth Sport Trust Girls Get Active Data 2024 found 62 per cent of girls expressed a desire to be more active at school, but reported barriers such as lack of confidence and concerns about exercising during their periods.
While 86 per cent of girls aged 7-8 say they enjoy PE, this number drops significantly to just 56 per cent among 14-15 year-olds.
Workshops throughout the day provided valuable insights.
Emily Allen, founder of EmPower, explained how hormones impact mood, energy, and performance during the menstrual cycle.
She also discussed how these hormonal changes can affect being active, and provided teachers with practical ideas to support girls during PE, such as incorporating more skill-based drills at the start of a class and including aerobic exercises.
Emily encouraged girls to track their cycles to better understand their bodies, calling it “one of the most empowering things you can do.”
Each student was also given a Fab Little Bag to keep in their PE kits.
Charlotte Gill, co-founder of PeBe Sports Bra, spoke about the importance of wearing a well-fitted sports bra, explaining that breast movement is one of the biggest barriers to girls participating in exercise.
She emphasised the importance of checking bra fit regularly, as breast movement follows a figure-of-eight pattern, with the average breast weighing 1.5kg, and that wearing incorrect underwear can cause health problems as well as impact performance.
The event also showcased positive changes introduced in local schools following last year’s event, including greater flexibility around PE kit choices, alternative after-school clubs, and improved access to period products.
Organisers hope more changes will come following the youth voice session, where students were asked what barriers stop them from participating and enjoying PE and school sport.
Students praised the event for its depth and informative sessions. One student commented: “We’ve learned about this at school before, but not in such detail. They really went into it.”
Teachers also found the day invaluable. Rob Cornell, Head of PE at Kings, said: “I found it fascinating. The discussion about how the menstrual cycle affects sport was eye-opening and important for encouraging girls to be kinder to themselves.”
Amy Lane, Active for Life Apprentice from Brighton and Hove City Council, added: “It has been interesting to hear so much youth voice throughout the day.”
The This Girl Can Be Inspired event continues to play a crucial role in breaking down barriers, empowering girls to engage in sport, and ensuring they feel supported and confident in their journey to lead active lives.
SCF to Host National Disability Fixtures
Sussex Cricket Foundation to host National Disability T10 and Hundred Competitions
The Sussex Cricket Foundation continue to lead the way, pushing the boundaries in Disability Cricket by delivering two nationally leading Disability Cricket competitions.
The ‘Disability T10 Cup’ and ‘Disability Hundred’ will take place this summer, in partnership with the ECB, Lord’s Taverners and our Disability Cricket Pathway sponsors, Webtrends Optimize.
T10 Cup
Enjoy a wonderful day in the sun with 'Good Old Sussex by the Sea' on Sunday 18th May 2025, hosting the countries first inter-counties Disability T10 Cup in partnership with Webtrends Optimize, ECB, and the Lord's Taverners.
Sussex welcome Surrey, Hampshire, and Essex, D40 teams to the 1st Central County Ground, playing in two semi-finals followed by a shield and cup final.
The ground will be open from 10:30 am, first game starting approx. 11:00 am, cup final taking place approx. 7:00 pm under the lights!
This is a FREE event.
Please register your interest via - https://forms.office.com/e/nALrnX8nzC?origin=lprLink.
Disability Hundred
Arundel Castle Cricket Club will be hosting the Disability Hundred as part of the wider ‘festival of cricket’ sponsored by Rathbones between the 6th and 9th August.
Sussex, Surrey, and Yorkshire will be going head-to-head on Wednesday 6th August, in a series of games, where the overall winner, takes all.
This is a free event; parking charges will be in place. Timings and further information to be announced.
Please visit our website or social media channels for further announcements or contact foundation@sussexcricket.co.uk
Sussex Cricket Foundation's Community Cricket Director, Gary Wallis-Tayler added, "We are delighted to be hosting these two ground-breaking disability cricket events at two iconic venues in our county. Both events will provide us with the opportunity to showcase the strength and quality of disability cricket at a local & national level, and provide a stage for talented cricketers to showcase their skills.
"As leaders in the delivery of disability cricket nationally, we want to show our communities how cricket really is a game for all.”
Sussex Cricket AGM 2025
Sussex Cricket Limited General Annual Meeting 2025
The 9th Sussex Cricket Limited Annual General Meeting took place on Tuesday 25th March 2025 at The 1st Central County Ground.
Hosted by the Sussex Cricket Chair, Jon Filby, the Annual General Meeting was also led by Chief Executive, Pete Fitzboydon and Chair of the Audit and Risk Committee, Glenn Douglas
Glenn Douglas presented a summary of the 2024 Annual Report and Accounts, reporting the financial position of the organisation, which has been a challenging year managing cost inflation across the board although significantly benefitted by hosting a T20 Blast quarter final at The 1st Central County Ground.
The group operating loss for the year ending 31 October 2024 stood at £162k.
The full report and accounts can be read here.
Following the financing reporting, the members ratified the appointment of Simon Crundwell and Fiona Richards as Board Members. Members also ratified the re-appointment of co-opted Board Members, Jon Filby, Chaira Khan and Jatin Patel.
There was also an update from Gary Wallis-Tayler, Community Cricket Foundation who highlighted the key success stories of the Sussex Cricket Foundation and its 2024 Impact Report.
Members then heard from Head Coach, Paul Farbrace, who discussed progress on the pitch in 2024 and his objectives for the 2025 season.
Members will be notified when the full minutes from the Annual General Meeting will be available.
Speaking after the AGM, Chair Jon Filby said: “I am very grateful to all those members who attended the AGM last night for their outstanding support for Sussex Cricket.
“I know that all who attended will have enjoyed hearing from Paul Farbrace and Alexia Walker about the exciting season ahead for our men’s and women’s teams and will have been pleased to hear from Pete Fitzboydon about the huge amount of work that is going in to improve the ground for our members and about our ambitious plans for the ongoing redevelopment of the ground.
"We really can’t wait for the season to get started and I look forward to seeing our members and supporters at Hove for the County Championship games against Somerset and Surrey.
"These are exciting times for Sussex Cricket."
Sussex vs Hampshire | Pre-Season Friendly: Match Report (Day Two)
And that's a wrap for pre-season. It's been an extended calendar this year, and it's swivelled the spotlight on pretty much the Sussex squad in its entirety. It's been a good workout, though, with trips to Hampshire and Kent followed by hostings of Surrey and Hampshire. An abundance of cricket already, and we're not even into April. There's been a string of impressive performances in this time. Tom Clark was outstanding again here.
Within a matter of minutes he had raced to his 50. Swiftly swiping Brad Wheal for three boundaries in his first over of the day, he'd be yet to reach the crescendo as he worked his way to a majestic century. He'd partnered Daniel Hughes towards the close yesterday, and both looked in fine touch. The pair added an extra 51 runs before Hughes holed out to Sonny Baker for 70 off Liam Dawson's first ball of his spell. It was a shot in anger, but one that would see him return to the pavilion with George Thomas taking his spot at the crease.
Thomas would last 11 balls, 10 of which were dots. The other? A mighty six towards the scoreboard. Dan Ibrahim and Oli Carter chipped in, but Clark was still there, caressing the ball around Hove. Having recorded half of his side's runs with the score nudged over the 200-mark, Clark retired with his head and bat held high. Then Zach Lion-Cachet and young Freddie Wallis joined the fray - the latter a young academy talent who looked a genuine talent throughout his time at the middle. The same can be said for Lion-Cachet, who displayed his full arsenal of shots here.
Against a strong bowling attack, too. Both batters looked slick and shiny, Lion-Cachet bringing up his half-century courtesy of two huge blows to cow corner. Archie Lenham and Bertie Foreman would be up next as those before him retired back to the pavilion. The spinners turned batters looked assured as Sussex finished their 90 overs with 324 on the board for the loss of five wickets, and three retirees.
So, the bowlers. They'd found tough work of it the previous day, indeed everyone with the ball in hand was forced to toil away. Former Sussex captain Ben Brown joined Liam Dawson at the middle, and they raced to 56-0 before both retired, presenting Fletcha Middleton and James Fuller a second opportunity with the bat. Come the close, which arrived five minutes to five, Hampshire were 118/0. The runs have been flowing at Hove, but it's at Edgbaston in less than a week where the next test lies: the commencement of the fresh County Championship season.
Sussex vs Hampshire | Pre-Season Friendly: Match Report (Day One)
Welcome back, Daniel Hughes. On a day where batters dominated bowlers, Sussex's shorter 30-over stint in the middle towards the end of play was sealed with a flourish: an elegant 53* that just seemed to get slicker and silkier as time progressed. Hampshire might just possess the fiercest bowling attack in the country, but here, as the clouds shifted into place overhead, they were made to look fairly ordinary.
For it was a splendidly sunny spectacle for Hampshire's 60 overs with the bat. For our neighbours from the west it was the perfect conditions: blue skies, minimal breeze. And, indeed, they were a force in the end. Toby Albert and Tom Prest - two fine young cricketers - put on a show. A 122-run partnership that would have been a far higher figure had they both not retired having lifted their side from 82-3 to 206-3. They are intelligent cricketers, patient with the bat in hand but with the ability to strike when required. Both made half centuries after Mark Stoneman, Fletcha Middleton and Nick Gubbins had been dismissed less than an hour into the day.
But the middle order came to the rescue. Liam Dawson was in next, and he'd, too, retire having faced just 40 deliveries. He made a quickfire 31, and allowed James Fuller some time out at the middle. Sussex's bowlers toiled away - Sean Hunt perhaps the pick of the bowlers, taking the scalp of Stoneman early on. But he bowled well and sharp. A mention must go to Archie Lenham, also. The young leg-spinner, who is still very much improving, bowled economically and tight here. And Ari Karvelas, who yearned for at least a wicket, picked up his side's last: bowling Kyle Abbott with the final ball of the innings.
The clouds shimmied over and parked themselves there for the duration. The temperature plummeted and swiftly a number of the Hampshire fielders opted for the woolly hat approach. It's almost April, at least. But it was a good time for Sussex in reply to Hampshire's declared total of 285/5. Charlie Tear will be disappointed to miss out on a big score here, as the spotlight shone on Hughes and Tom Clark. Hughes was sumptuous out there, and both will return in the morning. Clark is a consistent bat for Paul Farbrace, immensely resolute and solid. He'd end the day on 38, whilst his batting partner would raise the bat for a well-earned half century. Brad Wheal, Abbott and Dawson all had a go with the ball, but only the former would end the day with a wicket.
Another beneficial warm-up with day two to come tomorrow, and a very much welcome return to Hughes. That Sussex batting line-up just continues to grow in strength. Farbrace has plenty to choose from ahead of next week's opener in the Midlands.
Major Partners
Premium Partners
Community Partners
Corporate Partners
