By Paul Weaver, ECB Reporters’ Network supported by Rothesay.

Half centuries by Leicestershire’s Rishi Patel and Jonny Tattersall frustrated Sussex who had taken a first innings lead of 102 and, at one stage, fancied their chances of winning the match in three days.

Twenty-five overs were lost to a combination of rain and bad light on a cold and blustery third day at the County Ground, Hove. But Leicestershire, who at one stage were 37 for three, still 65 runs behind, were pulled round by Patel (56) and Tattersall (54 not out).

Sussex started the day on 386 for eight, 58 runs ahead, and John Simpson, 89 not out overnight, was the main aggressor as they extended their lead.

Ollie Robinson had added only four when he sliced a drive to backward point but Simpson, supported by  Henry Crocombe, went on to his second century of the season.

When Crocombe was last out, for 13, with the score on 430, Simpson was unbeaten on 114. He faced 141 deliveries and hit 13 fours and two sixes.

It was his 21st first-class century and, remarkably, his 12th since joining Sussex in 2024. He played for Middlesex between 2009-23.

When Leicestershire batted again their impressive openers, Rishi Patel and Jake Weatherald, looked comfortable. But then they lost three quick wickets before lunch.

Robinson, who had bowled outstandingly well without much luck in  Leicestershire’s first innings, looked set for more frustration. But then he moved a delivery of full length into Weatherald and the batsman, driving extravagantly, lost his off-stump.

Leicestershire lost their second wicket in the following over when Sol Budinger received a fine delivery from Fynn Hudson-Prentice which pitched on off-stump, straightened, and trimmed the off bail.

Leicestershire captain Ian Holland fell just five runs later. Crocombe, who had replaced Robinson at the north end of the ground, bowled a wide delivery and Holland appeared to be taking his bat away from danger when he edged it and Tom Clark took a fine low catch at second slip.

While all this was going on Patel was batting with stylish aggression at the other end. But after he had added 66 for the fourth wicket with the solid looking Tattersall he was out, driving a Clark away swinger to cover-point.

His 89-ball 56 included six fours and a straight six, when he jumped down the wicket to hit Jack Carson down the ground. Patel took the attack to Carson, whose opening six-over spell went for 36.

But Tattersall found another strong partner in Steve Eskinazi, who was twice struck painful blows on the hand on his way to an unbeaten 26. When the players left the field for the last time, at 5.30, Leicestershire were 154 for four, with Tattersall having faced 128 deliveries.

By Paul Weaver, ECB Reporters’ Network supported by Rothesay.

Dan Hughes scored his first century of the season to place to place Sussex in a commanding position against Leicestershire at Hove.

At 196 for two Sussex were powerfully placed to gain a decisive lead. But Leicestershire, led by on-loan fast bowler Tom Helm, and assisted by poor stokes from Jack Leaning, Hughes and James Coles, just kept themselves in the game.

Batting looked a difficult business when Sussex started the day on 3-0.  And with the last ball of the fourth over Tom Clark, defending, edged a delivery from Helm that straightened and Rishi Patel took a sharp catch at first slip.

Helm struck again in his next over when, without addition, Dan Ibrahim, replacing the unwell Tom Haines, edged a straight ball and Rishi Patel again took the catch.

Helm, on loan from Middlesex, was the stand-out Leicestershire bowler all day, finding bounce and movement from his straight and purposeful approach.

The worry for Leicestershire, in the absence of the injured Josh Davey, is that the rest of the attack wasn’t quite in Helm’s class, though Ben Green was threatening on occasions.

Ian Holland opened the attack with Helm and frequently Hughes jumped down the pitch to attack the bowling of from the Leicestershire captain.

While ball was still hard there were  problems for the Sussex batsmen. Jack Leaning struggled in particular in the opening hour, and he might have been fortunate to survive a plausible lbw appeal from Green.

At lunch Sussex were 125 for two, with Hughes 77 not out and Leaning unbeaten on 28. Hughes reached his century (out of 154) when he square-drove Holland to the point boundary.

When Ben Cox fluffed a stumping chance off the bowling of Ajaz Patel, with Leaning on 44, the visiting side must have wondered where the next wicket would come from.

But Sussex came to their aid. Leaning had just reached a patient, obdurate fifty, off 131 deliveries with five fours, when he gave it away, going down the wicket to drive a simple catch to mid-on; 196-3. His innings – and his demise – replicated Holland’s effort the previous day.

There was more where that came from. Hughes had been batting at his best and looked set for a massive score. But when he had made 136 he drove a wide half-volley to cover; 224-4.

The Australian left-hander looked crestfallen. But he had played a gorgeous innings, batting for 229 minutes and hitting 20 fours.

The out of form James Coles, dropped a place to No 5 in he hope of finding his touch, looked in the mood when he expertly guided Tom Scriven to third man for four. But he had made only 19 when he attempted a lavish off-side stroke off the back foot and edged to Cox, who took a splendid catch; 245 for five.

Sussex appeared to be throwing it away, losing three careless wickets in the space of 49 runs. But some of the best batting was still to come. Jon Simpson, batting with power and easy timing, put on a sprightly 88 in 20 overs with Charlie Tear.

Helm ended the fun when he took the new ball, at 333 for five, and had Tear lbw on the back foot for an eye-catching, 67-ball 44. Fynn Hudson-Prentice and Jack Carson fell cheaply but Simpson was still there at the  close, unbeaten on 89. 

Sussex Sharks Women continue their Metro Bank One Day Cup campaign tomorrow (Sunday 10 May) as they make the trip to Finedon Dolben Cricket Club to take on Northamptonshire Steelbacks.

Alexia Walker's side suffered defeat at the hands of Kent at Hove last week. Despite a well-made 74 from Phoebe Wilkinson, the score of 217 wasn't enough, as Kent chased it down with 28 balls to spare - largely thanks to a fine century from opening batter Coco Streets.

The Sharks sit 5th in the table, with one win and two defeats from their opening three matches.

Team News

Sussex Sharks squad: Chiara Green (c), Izzy Collis, Anna Buckle, Phoebe Wilkinson, Bella Johnson, Ava Lee, Poppy Tulloch, Anna Lewis, Faye Mullins, Kali-Ann Docherty, Mollie Adams (wk), Eve O’Neill, Shristi Patil

The Opposition

The Steelbacks have made a flying start to the season, winning their opening two matches against Kent and Gloucestershire.

Meg Austin starred with the bat in their season opener against Kent, scoring 123 as the Steelbacks went on to win by 39 runs. Then, it was the performance with the ball that stood out against Gloucestershire, as the home side were dismissed for 143 before the Steelbacks went on to win by 6 wickets.

How to Watch

As ever, you can watch every ball, free of charge, via our Match Centre. You will need to register for a free account to access the stream, statistics, replays and live scorecard. 

The action gets underway at 10.30am on Sunday.

By Paul Weaver, ECB Reporters’ Network supported by Rothesay.

Sussex bowled out Leicestershire for 328 on the opening day of their Rothesay County Championship match at Hove, as Tom Clark and Daniel Hughes survived a tricky five-over spell to leave the hosts three without loss in reply at the close of play.

Leicestershire, the only side in the first division without a win this season, were put in after Ollie Robinson won the toss for the first time but after putting on 92 for the first wicket they slid to 209 for seven.

They were part-rescued by their tail, with the last three wickets adding 119, including an eighth wicket stand of 73 between captain Ian Holland (63) and Tom Scriven (50).

Off-spinner Jack Carson was the most successful Sussex bowler with figures of four for 40 but the stand-out performer was captain Ollie Robinson, who bowled heroically well, sending down 24.4 overs in five separate spells, and was unlucky to take only three wickets.

Robinson may have questioned his decision to bowl first on a green looking pitch as Leicestershire’s impressive and stylish openers Rishi Patel and Jake Weatherald batted with easy authority.

The right-handed Patel caught the eye with some handsome back foot drives, while the Australian Weatherald, shorter and left handed, worked the ball away with a series of neat flicks and cuts, although he was dropped at fourth slip, a difficult chance, when he had 16 and the score was 26.

The bowling in the first session was unimpressive, apart from the excellent Robinson, who found movement but bowled without any luck.

Then, shortly before lunch, Sussex had two slices of good fortune. In the 22nd over, Weatherald called for a quick single but then sent Patel back and Patel, on 45, was beaten by Jack Leaning’s direct hit from point.

Four overs later, at 108, Weatherald was out, making room to cut a short ball from Carson but slapping it straight to Tom Clark who pulled off a fine low catch in the covers.

After lunch Leicestershire were made to fight much harder for their runs. Sussex bowled markedly better only to see their fielding fall apart, with three dropped catches in quick succession.

Jonny Tattersall, the Yorkshireman who has had loan spells with Gloucestershire, Surrey and now Leicestershire, had been in good form with 200 runs in three innings. But now he was dropped on 12, 12 again and 19.

He was first put down by the normally reliable Clark at second slip, off Henry Crocombe, bowling down the hill with some pace. Then, two balls later and much to his frustration, Crocombe had Tattersall dropped by Coles at first slip. On both occasions the fielder got both hands to the ball.

Tattersall enjoyed a third let-off when, pulling against Fynn Hudson-Prentice, he was put down by Dan Ibrahim running in from long leg. But the batsman had added just one more when he offered yet another slip catch and this time Leaning accepted the chance at third.

Captain Holland and the in-form Steve Eskinazi found runs hard to come by. Eskinazi was dropped at mid-off on 14 off Carson, a difficult chance, but next ball he was caught at slip by Robinson.

Then Carson struck twice in the space of three balls. First he had Ben Cox brilliantly caught by Charlie Tear at a very close short-leg and then he had Ben Green lbw for a duck.

Holland and the impressive Scriven, who made his first fifty of the season, rescued the innings with a 16 overs partnership. And there was just time for one more drop – Leaning missing Ajaz Patel at slip off Robinson – before the end of the innings.

The Dean Wilson Sussex Cricket League restarts in full on Saturday 9 May, to commence another busy summer of cricket for recreational players across Sussex.

This year 377 teams from 148 clubs will compete across 38 divisions, with last year’s ECB Premier Division champions, Horsham Cricket Club looking to defend their title.

In an exciting development this year, Dean Wilson will also become headline sponsors of the Sussex Women’s Cricket League. The league will see 7 teams compete in the Premier Division with a further 14 teams competing in Division 2, which has been split into three regional divisions. The league will also form part of the wider League Executive Committee to provide greater administrative and governance support to help growth and development of the league.

A further 122 teams will also take part in the Cup, Trophy & Plate T20 competitions with all three finals taking place at The County Ground, Hove on Sunday 20 September with The Daniel Oliver T20 Cup final taking place under the floodlights.

The league season will conclude with the annual End of Season Dinner on Friday 23 October at The Grand Hotel, Brighton with guest speaker ex-England International and National Selector, Geoff Miller.

Gary Wallis-Tayler, Director of the Sussex Cricket Foundation said:

“We are all looking forward to another exciting summer of cricket for both our open & women’s leagues. It’s great to see the growth of both leagues and I wish all the players and volunteers the best of luck for the season ahead. I would also like to thank Dean Wilson for their continued support, especially of our women’s league which continues to thrive.”

James Chadburn, Managing Partner at Dean Wilson LLP said:

“We are very proud to continue our support of the Dean Wilson Sussex Cricket League and, this year, to become headline sponsors of the Sussex Women’s Cricket League. Having supported the open league for a second season, it’s important to us that our partnership reflects the breadth and growth of the game across Sussex. Supporting the women’s league aligns strongly with our values as a firm – community, opportunity and long‑term development – and we’re delighted to play our part in helping both leagues go from strength to strength.”

Gary Stanley, Chair of the Sussex Cricket League said:

"On your marks for another great season of SCL cricket, with the league going from strength to strength and continuing to be held up by the ECB as an exemplar of recreational cricket. We especially look forward to working closely with the Women's league before we officially combine at the end of the year, which is a natural and very exciting development."

To follow this season’s action, you can visit the respective Play-Cricket sites: Dean Wilson Sussex Cricket League & Dean Wilson Sussex Women’s Cricket League.

Sussex look for a response following their first defeat of the campaign at Surrey as they welcome Leicestershire to Hove in the Rothesay County Championship.

Despite a gargantuan effort from the tail in the opening innings at Kia Oval - with Jack Carson and Ollie Robinson both recording centuries - Sussex suffered their first loss of the season by an eight wicket margin.

There were positives, particularly with the bat in the latter stages of both innings, but it was a task that was always growing harder after Sussex found themselves 92-7 on the opening day. Had it not been for some quite brilliant batting from the lower order it may have been over a fair bit before just after Tea on the final day, as Surrey then piled on the runs to gain a healthy advantage before bowling Sussex out again requiring just 14 runs for the win.

But swiftly a chance to right the wrongs arrives just a few days' later against a side they have already had success against this season, with opponents from the opening match of the campaign in Leicestershire journeying down for the penultimate County Championship fixture of this opening block.

Team News

Tom Price was absent from the defeat in London after going down with an ankle injury on day three against Yorkshire the week prior, despite being in the squad. He is once again in the squad for the visit of Leicestershire as he pushes for a place in the XI. Oli Carter is included in this latest squad in the only change from the side that travelled to Surrey.

Squad: Carson, Carter, Clark, Coles, Crocombe, Haines, Hudson-Prentice, Hughes, Ibrahim, Lamb, Leaning, Price, Robinson (c), Simpson, Tear

New for 2026, you can sponsor our players or coaches! Have your company name included on squad lists in our Match Preview articles and on social media graphics. To find out more, visit https://sussexcricket.co.uk/player-coach-sponsorship

The Opposition

It's been little over a month since the last encounter between the sides as Sussex romped to a convincing 222-run victory over Leicestershire at Grace Road to wipe out the points deficit and hand Ollie Robinson a first win as County Championship captain.

Since then, Alfonso Thomas' side are still in search of a first Division One victory having been crowned champions of the second division last season. Following that defeat to Sussex, they followed it up with back-to-back draws against Surrey and Glamorgan - scoring 1,277 runs across those matches in just two innings - before last week coming unstuck against Nottinghamshire.

A decent response, then, for the side whose fairly apparent failings thus far lie within their bowling attack. Allrounder Ben Green has, however, taken an impressive 17 wickets already - the joint leading wicket-taker in the division alongside Henry Crocombe and Mason Crane.

Jake Weatherald, Rishi Patel and Ben Cox have made particularly positive starts with the bat, recording 366, 346 and 334 runs respectively as they head to Hove in search of that elusive first victory of the campaign.

How to Watch

As always, you can watch every ball, free of charge, via our Match 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.

Or, you can join us for the four days at The County Ground, Hove, by purchasing your tickets here.

Tickets on the gate will be dearer than in advance, so book now via the link above for the best price Tickets purchased on the gate are NOT covered by the rain policy, either.

Have you spotted the Ranji Coronation Album in the Sussex Cricket Museum?

Surrey completed their first win of the Rothesay County Championship season with a comprehensive eight-wicket victory against Sussex at the Kia Oval.

But they were made to work hard for their 22 points with Charlie Tear, Jack Carson and Sussex captain Ollie Robinson all making defiant runs. Starting the final day still 188 runs adrift on 76 for four in their second innings, Sussex were eventually bowled out for 277 in 85 overs, with Surrey needing the second new ball to finish the job.

That left Surrey requiring just 14 in their second innings, achieved in four overs immediately after tea although not before both Rory Burns and Ryan Patel fell leg-before to the fourth and sixth balls of the second over from James Coles. Left-arm spinner Coles looked fortunate to win his appeal against a sweeping Burns, on one, but Patel was plumb in front and that left Dom Sibley and Ollie Pope to knock off the remaining runs.

The 21-year-old Tear made a career-best 61, his second half-century in four first-class appearances, while Carson scored 48 and Robinson 42. Sussex opener Tom Haines, who had retired hurt after being struck in the helmet grille by Matt Fisher’s first ball of the innings on the previous day, returned at the fall of the eighth wicket to offer further brave resistance with an unbeaten 20.

Haines, who passed concussion checks overnight, joined Robinson to ensure Surrey were made to bat again, the pair adding a further 35 either side of the new ball being taken at 258 for eight from  80 overs. Robinson, however, fell in the 84th over, thin-edging behind off Jordan Clark, and the innings’ end soon came with No 11 Henry Crocombe leg-before to Fisher for four.

Clark took three for 40 and Fisher three for 52 and the result means that Surrey, after three high-scoring draws, have put their sluggish start to the campaign behind them. It is a first defeat of the season for Sussex. First to go on day four was opener Daniel Hughes, the Australian left-hander pushing loosely at a ball angled across him from Clark on 39 and edging to Burns at first slip.

It came from the final delivery of Clark’s second over of the morning and, nine overs later, Sean Abbott struck with his second ball of the day after replacing Fisher in Surrey’s attack. Fynn Hudson-Prentice, on 15, was undone by an outswinger from Abbott that he edged to keeper Jamie Smith.

Tear then held up Surrey in tandem with Carson, who batted with real authority for the second time in the match and in a manner which suggests he may soon find himself being promoted up the Sussex order. Carson followed up his first innings 105 by getting quickly into his stride again. He skipped down the pitch to hit Dan Lawrence’s off spin high for six and then effortlessly flicked Reece Topley’s left-arm seam high over the mid-wicket ropes for another.

At lunch Tear and Carson had added 64 and after the interval they took their partnership to 82 before Abbott slid one into Carson’s pads to have him leg-before. Robinson, Sussex’s other first innings century-maker in the memorable ninth wicket stand of 173 with Carson, was immediately away with a stunning straight driven four off Abbott – from the third ball he faced.

And another 44 was soon added for the eighth wicket until Tear chopped on in an attempt to cut away a short ball from Topley. The youngster batted for just over three hours, facing 131 balls and hitting six fours.

Surrey teenager Adam Thomas scored a century on his Championship debut as Sussex were buried under a mountain of runs at the Kia Oval.

The 19-year-old made 120 after opener Dom Sibley strengthened his claims for an England Test recall with a magnificent 187 to take his aggregate for the season to 376 at 62.66.

Surrey were eventually bowled out for 622 with seven of the wickets falling to spin leaving Sussex 264 in arrears.

At stumps Sussex were 76 for 4, which represented something of a recovery having lost two wickets and Tom Haines retired hurt in the first over when he was hit on the helmet grille by the first ball of the innings. Surrey will strongly fancy their chances of winning their first game of the season on Monday.

As well as Sibley played, the third day of this Rothesay County Championship match was all about the talented Thomas.

A flat pitch and tiring attack were ideal conditions, but Thomas was confident and unflustered from the start, playing shots all around the wicket and looking particularly strong through the offside. 

Apart from one drive down the ground which only just cleared Haines in the deep he didn’t play a false stroke and The Oval crowd were on their feet when he scampered through to take two runs to deep mid-wicket and become only the ninth Surrey batsman to score a debut century in the County Championship and the first since Aaron Finch in 2016.

Thomas was dismissed shortly after tea when he was bowled trying to force James Coles off the back foot, departing to another standing ovation.

In an eventful start to Sussex's second innings Haines had to be helped off in some distress after a delivery from Matt Fisher rose sharply off a length and struck him under the grille. 

Tom Clark was leg before first ball to one which Fisher swung back into the left-hander’s pads and James Coles edged his third delivery to wicketkeeper Jamie Smith to leave Sussex reeling on 0 for 2.

Jack Leaning was leg before to Jordan Clark and leg-spinner Dan Lawrence got just enough turn to find John Simpson’s outside edge shortly before the close to leave Sussex facing their first defeat of the season. 

Earlier, Sussex had done well before lunch to remove three players capable of taking the game away from them quickly.

Ollie Pope signalled his intentions by hitting four boundaries in Fynn Hudson-Prentice’s opening over only to waste a good start when he was caught at second slip trying to guide the ball down to third man. 

Lawrence was held at long on and Smith at long off but there was no dislodging Sibley, who passed 10,000 first-class runs on 123 when he took a boundary off Henry Crocombe before hoisting Jack Carson down the ground for six to ease Surrey past Sussex’s 358.

Another six off Carson took him to 150 and he seemed to be cruising towards a double hundred when he tried to belt Carson over the top again and was beaten in the flight to end a vigil that had lasted more than eight-and-a-half hours.

Sibley has now faced a staggering 888 balls in six innings this season, batting for more than 20 hours – after he was last summer’s leading Division One run-scorer with 1,274 runs. 

When Haines pinned Jordan Clark Surrey’s lead was 103 but just as Sussex’s had on day one Surrey’s tailed wagged vigorously. 

With Thomas now into his stride at the other end Sean Abbott took his cue and they added 161 in 27 overs, a new eighth-wicket Surrey record in this fixture beating the 150 by Robin Jackman and Intikhab Alam at The Oval in 1973.

Abbott (76) was caught at backward point as Sussex took the last three wickets in four balls, but it was a brief respite after 159 draining overs in the field.