Following victories for both teams last time out, Sussex Sharks Men and Women head to Northamptonshire tomorrow in the Metro Bank One Day Cup.

The Women's team take on the Steelbacks at Horton House CC tomorrow, with the match starting at 10.30am. They beat Leicestershire at the Rathbones Arundel Festival of Cricket last weekend to keep their hopes of a place in the Semi-Finals alive. They now sit seven points behind Yorkshire in 4th, with a game in hand and three fixtures left to play. With five points up for grabs tomorrow, that gap could close to just two points with two games to play.

The Men, meanwhile, were involved in a thriller at Hove yesterday, winning by 1 wicket against Lancashire under the lights. It's a result that has seen them climb to 5th in Group B, still just four points off the top three. They take on the Steelbacks at the County Ground in Northampton tomorrow, starting at 11am, as they target back-to-back wins.

Team News

Alexia Walker has made one change to her 13-player squad for the trip to Northampton as Eve O'Neill returns in place of Daisy Mullan.

Adams, Buckle, Collis, Curling, Gentry, Green, Harman, King, Lee, Lewis, O’Neill, Stanley, Wilkinson.

Grant Flower's 14-player squad is unchanged from yesterday's win against Lancashire.

Carson, Carter, Clark, Crocombe, Foreman, Haines, Hudson-Prentice, Hunt, Ibrahim, Karvelas, Lamb, Lenham, Simpson (c), Tear.

The Opposition - Northamptonshire Steelbacks Women

The Steelbacks have been in fine form in this year's Metro Bank One Day Cup, losing just one and winning five of their six matches.

They have won their last three matches in succession against Worcestershire Rapids, Derbyshire Falcons and Kent. They have taken all ten wickets in each of the five matches they have won this season, with Anisha Patel and Ella Phillips leading the way as the competition's joint-leading wicket takers with 12 each.

The Opposition - Northamptonshire Steelbacks Men

Following the abandonment of their fixture at Lancashire, the Steelbacks have lost two and won one of their last three matches. 

The defeats against Yorkshire and Warwickshire appear to have been quickly put behind them, after a comprehensive victory against Durham yesterday. James Seales scored 117 as Northants posted a score of 321-8. Then, with the ball, the wickets were shared between all six bowlers as they won by 150 runs at Chester-le-Street.

Timings

The Women's match begins at 10.30am tomorrow, while the Men's match begins half an hour later 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.

Unfortunately, there will be no live stream of the women's game, but you can follow the live scorecard here.

Match Tickets

Tickets can be purchased via this link.

Sussex Sharks’ hopes of progressing to the knockout stages of the Metro Bank One-Day Cup are alive after they squeezed past Lancashire by one wicket with three balls to spare in a thriller at Hove. 

Chasing 339, Tom Clark’s 139 and Tom Haines (90) appeared to have done the hard bit by adding 232 in 32 overs – a new second-wicket record in 50 overs cricket for the county – to leave 98 needed from 17 overs with eight wickets in hand. 

Instead, they collapsed in a flurry of poor shots to lose six wickets for 27 runs in 47 balls. When Archie Lenham was eighth out Sussex needed 39 from 27 balls but Jack Carson and Henry Crocombe held their nerve. Carson hit Charlie Barnard straight for six in the 48th over before launching Tom Bailey over mid-wicket and out of the ground in the next.

With one to win there was another twist when Crocombe was lbw to left-arm spinner Charlie Barnard off the second delivery of the final over. But last man Sean Hunt bunted the next ball back over Barnard's head to seal Sussex’s second win in four Group B games. 

Lancashire were in a good position at halfway after openers Michael Jones and George Bell put on 157 before Harry Singh’s 74 took them to their highest 50 overs total against Sussex.

Josh Bohannon picked up Charlie Tear with his second ball, but Clark and Haines then took control. The two left-handers didn’t offer a chance until Clark, on 120, top-edged a sweep but Barnard, running in from mid-wicket, couldn’t hold on as he dived forward.

Clark deserved that fortune given the quality of his stroke play, particularly his inside-out driving through the off and his ability to find the gaps on the leg side. The 24-year-old can seldom have batted with more freedom in any format for his county. None of the seven bowlers employed could tie either of them down until a tired Clark was bowled by off-spinner Arav Shetty in the 34th over. He faced 109 balls and hit 16 fours and five sixes.

With an end to attack Lancashire were transformed. Shetty, in only his third List A game, finished with 3 for 51 while 20-year-old Barnard, who conceded 23 in his first two overs, ended up with 4 for 56.  

Lancashire’s 338 for 7 was underpinned by a fine opening stand of 157 in 25 overs by Jones and Bell, a new List A best against Sussex for the first wicket, beating David Lloyd and Farokh Engineer’s 146 at Blackpool in 1976.

Jones was the more aggressive, hitting three sixes in his 77-ball 82 before he mistimed a drive at leg-spinner Lenham and was caught at extra at cover. Bell played nicely for his 66 off 74 balls until he mistimed a sweep at off-spinner Carson. Between them Sussex’s two slow bowlers took a respectable 3 for 90 in 18 overs in batter-friendly conditions, but it was harder work for their seam attack on a sweltering afternoon.

Left-armer Hunt returned after nearly three months out and picked up a wicket  and there were two in two balls for Crocombe, who finished with 3 for 61, but 21-year-old Singh propelled Lancashire beyond 300 with some very impressive ball-striking and placement, hitting five sixes in his 61-ball 74 which was a career best to boot. 

Report provided by ECB Reporters' Network

Ongoing Partnership Between Dean Wilson and Sussex Cricket Showcased at the Newly Refurbished “Dean Wilson Boundary Rooms”

Sussex Cricket is proud to continue its partnership with Dean Wilson LLP - a collaboration built on shared values like supporting the local community, doing things well, and a real love for the game of cricket.

A visible aspect of this partnership can be seen at The 1st Central County Ground in Hove, where the refurbished Dean Wilson Boundary Rooms provide a dedicated space for business networking and hospitality.

Relaunched under the Dean Wilson name at the start of the 2025 season, the rooms, which also feature a new Roebuck Estates bar, play host to Sussex Cricket’s flagship networking series, The Boundary Club.

The Boundary Club brings together professionals from across Sussex for a series of events throughout the season, combining informal networking, guest speakers, and the opportunity to enjoy top-level cricket from a prime location at the ground.

Running from April to December, The Boundary Club hosts nine curated events each season, combining inspiring speakers, premium hospitality, and the electric atmosphere of live cricket - making it one of the most sought-after networking opportunities in the region.

The Boundary Rooms are also used for hospitality throughout the season as well as being hired as a great, flexible space for meetings, networking and conferences.

James Chadburn, Partner at Dean Wilson, commented: “We’re incredibly proud to support Sussex Cricket, not just through our sponsorship of the League but also in helping to elevate the experience for the business community.

“The newly refurbished Dean Wilson Boundary Rooms are a fantastic reflection of our shared values – professional excellence, community engagement, and a genuine love for the game.

“We look forward to welcoming guests and fellow professionals to enjoy the space and all that The Boundary Club has to offer.”

Sam Graham, Director of Growth at Sussex Cricket, added: "The partnership with Dean Wilson is a brilliant example of how local businesses and Sussex Cricket can work together to create something special for the community.

“The Dean Wilson Boundary Rooms are not just a fantastic space to enjoy hospitality packages at the cricket – they’ve become a hub for meaningful connections, collaboration and shared experiences.

“We’re excited to see The Boundary Club continue to grow here and to welcome even more people to enjoy top-class cricket in such an outstanding setting.” Dean Wilson also continues its support of grassroots cricket through its sponsorship of the Sussex Cricket League and its partnership with the Sussex Cricket Foundation.

For more information about The Boundary Club or upcoming events, contact theboundaryclub@sussexcricket.co.uk. For more information on Dean Wilson see www.deanwilson.co.uk

The Metro Bank One-Day Cup returns to Hove tomorrow, as Sussex Sharks take on Lancashire in the first day/night One Day Cup match at The 1st Central County Ground in over six years.

The Sharks will be looking to bounce back from their recent defeat against Middlesex at Lord's. Despite half-centuries for Jack Carson and Fynn Hudson-Prentice, Sussex's total of 255/9 wasn't enough, as the home side chased it down with more than four overs to spare.

As we approach the halfway point in the group stage, the Sharks are 7th in Group B, but just four points (one win) off the 3rd qualifying spot.

Team News

Grant Flower has named a 14-player squad for the clash with Lancashire tomorrow.

Carson, Carter, Clark, Crocombe, Foreman, Haines, Hudson-Prentice, Hunt, Ibrahim, Karvelas, Lamb, Lenham, Simpson (c), Tear.

Sean Hunt has been named in the squad and could make his return to the playing XI having missed the majority of the season through injury. His last appearance came in Sussex's home opener in the County Championship against Somerset, where he took nine wickets as Sussex wrapped up their first victory in Division One in a decade.

Charlie Tear is the other to return to the squad. He featured in the opening game of the competition for Sussex but has missed out on a place in the XI in the two most recent matches.

The Opposition

After one win, one defeat and one abandonment, Lancashire sit two points ahead of Sussex Sharks after 3 games. Their most recent outing was a short trip to York against rivals Yorkshire where the White Rose chased down their target of 295 with just over three overs to spare.

Lancashire's single win in the competition came on their travels at Taunton, where Ollie Sutton and Tom Bailey held their nerve in a nail-biting run chase, to secure a two-wicket victory.

Timings

Tomorrow's match starts at a later time of 2pm. Gates open at midday.

Food & Drink

Supporters are permitted to bring food and drinks into the ground, however alcohol is NOT permitted. 

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. While the Premier League opener between Liverpool and Bournemouth will also be shown live in the bar.

The Metro Bank One-Day Cup returns to Hove tomorrow as Sussex Sharks take on Lancashire.

Here's everything you need to know ahead of your visit.

Tickets

Tickets are still available for the game. You can book tickets online here.

Gates open at midday ahead of a 2pm start.

Food & Drink

Supporters are permitted to bring food and drinks into the ground, however alcohol is NOT permitted. 

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. While the Premier League opener between Liverpool and Bournemouth will also be shown live in the bar.

ECB Announce White-Ball Structure Changes

The ECB have today announced changes to the structure of the Men's and Women's white-ball competitions for the 2026 season onwards.

ECB Press Release:

Middlesex vs Sussex Sharks: Match Report

Sam Robson and Joe Cracknell shared a stand of 144 in 111 balls as Middlesex sped to victory over Sussex in the Metro Bank One-Day Cup at Lord’s. 

Robson, in his benefit year with the Seaxes struck a run a ball 89 (14 4s and a six) while Cracknell also cleared the ropes and hit 12 boundaries in his 78 as the hosts chased down a target of 256 with 25 balls to spare, despite 3-48 for Henry Crocombe.

Earlier, Sussex’s total of 255-9 was built around half centuries from Jack Carson (73 from 58) and Fynn Hudson-Prentice (58 in 73). Noah Cornwell returned 3-50 while 18-year-old Jamie Feldman, making his List-A debut took a wicket with his second ball on route to figures of 2-36.

Middlesex seized the initiative early thanks to Toby Roland-Jones’ double strike, Tom Haines caught at mid-on before Danial Ibrahim was trapped in front. 

Hudson-Prentice’s innings got off to a bizarre start when a quick single saw a shy at the stumps which hit the non-striker Tom Clark, the ricochet carrying the ball to the fence.

The all-rounder almost played on to a ball from Cornwell, swatting the ball away from danger, but a lovely off-drive soon had him motoring, a Roland-Jones delivery nonchalantly flicked over the short boundary for six.

Feldman then made a dramatic entrance, having Clark caught by skipper Ben Geddes and he struck for a second time to cut short Sussex skipper John Simpson’s breezy 22.

Hudson-Prentice passed 50 in 61 balls, sharing a stand of 52 with Oli Carter before being superbly caught by Jack Davies and when Cornwell ended Carter’s promising innings three runs later the visitors were 152-6.

The fact they batted out their overs was down almost entirely to Carson’s splendid innings. The all-rounder ruthlessly exploited the short boundary, endangering occupants of the Mound Stand on four occasions as he sprinted to 50 at more than a run a ball before finally perishing caught at cover in the penultimate over.

By then Feldman had unfurled another party piece, brilliantly running out Danny Lamb with a direct hit. 

Middlesex lost De Caires lbw to Ari Karvelas early in the chase, but Robson and Cracknell responded with a boundary blitz, the former clubbing one over the ropes as well as creaming several fours effortlessly through the covers.

Carson relieved the quicks only to be swept twice to the ropes by Cracknell, who followed that by dispatching one from Crocombe into the stands as 93 came from the powerplay.

Cracknell’s ninth four took him to 50 in 33 balls and Robson’s half-century took only three more as the pair forged on.

The Durham University graduate took a liking to the spin of Archie Lenham too, cutting successive balls behind square, and it needed Lamb to end his revelry courtesy of Haines’s catch on the square leg fence.

While Robson became more circumspect, Geddes picked up the baton, clearing the ropes and driving Lamb to the cover fence, reaching 30 before Crocombe pegged back his off stump.

When Robson followed him to the pavilion seven balls later courtesy of a magnificent diving catch by Lamb at mid-on there were jitters in the home dressing-room.

Davies cleared the ropes only to perish to the next ball and with the visitors employing three slips runs slowed to a trickle.

Hollman though steadied the ship with a mature unbeaten 30 to see the hosts over the line. 

By Jon Batham ECB Reporters’ Network supported by Rothesay

For more information about Rothesay, please visit www.ecb.co.uk/about/who-we-are/our-partners/rothesay

There were moments in this match where Sussex played some of their finest cricket of the campaign. The brilliance and sheen of the top order, and the bowling attack that just kept getting better. For large swathes of this sweltering August day there was little between the Sharks and the Foxes. Yet, as the afternoon grew and time ticked on, there was only going to be one outcome. The result? A third Metro Bank One Day Cup victory of the campaign.

With the bat Sussex were fluid and, at times, flawless. Mollie Adams and Izzy Collis have demonstrated their capabilities with the bat on numerous occasions this season, but for the latter it was perhaps her finest showing out in the middle. It wasn't just the 55 runs that were scored, but the control and care that went into this, the Sharks' eventual highest score of the innings. 

Adams fell with 65 runs on the board. April Herathge claimed the wicket, though Adams would perhaps have liked that one back in an instant. It was a wide delivery, and cut away. Unfortunately, it was straight into the hands of Francesca Sweet. Phoebe Wilkinson tapped the gloves of Collis as the foundations for another strong partnership were hastily laid. Wilkinson has been superb with the bat in recent months, and this was again a showcase of angles, straight lines and pure vibes. 

A smidgen below a run a ball for her 26, Nancy Harman would follow suit with more runs. Harman's innings began with great pace and urgency, placing the pressure onto the Leicestershire bowling cohort that at one moment it might look like she would never leave the crease. Collis and Harman combined for 10 boundaries, and they found them with surgical precision. 

In the 32nd over Collis' resistance was over. She had soaked up 91 balls and crafted 55 runs, falling to the bowling of Lucy Weston. It would be her lone scalp in the match, but perhaps the most imperative of them all. Rachel King, a talent who continues to grow in guile and grace with each appearance, added 25 runs to the equation. That would be the least number of runs made out of anyone in the top six, testament to a triumphant string of batters who lifted Sussex over 200 with a plentiful number of overs remaining. 

King and Green, much like Harman earlier in the innings, racked up their runs at an urgency. Both with strike rates over 100, they were intelligent beneath a sweltering sun. Aimee Colquhoun claimed the catches with both batters removed in the space of two overs to bring the Foxes back into the match. Daisy Mullan and Ava Lee tacked on extra runs before a late cameo from Talitha Stanley propped the Sharks' total up to a commendable 272 from their 50 overs. This was a collective effort with the bat from a young and hungry team who fought until the very final delivery, and ultimately put themselves in the driving seat after over three hours out in the middle. 

At the end of the innings the clouds moved away and the sun shone bright. The staggering trees caught hold of the gentle breeze and swayed softly around the boundary's edge. There are few places in England, let alone cricket grounds, that are as serene and stunning as Arundel. And almost as soon as Sussex had sauntered onto the luscious turf Leicestershire had lost their opening wicket. Only four Lottie Curling deliveries had been bowled when she removed the bails of Sweet. Few fielders had realised the outcome, for two of them could be seen running after the ball as it hurtled toward the boundary. But the wickets had been hit, and Curling had the breakthrough.

Then, the resistance. Prisha Thanawala joined Becki Brooker in the middle, and the pair were indomitable for a time. It was careful batting: dispatching the wider deliveries but ultimately keeping things secure at a time when their side needed them most. The partnership would last for 142 balls and harvest 117 runs. By this time the clouds had dissipated completely, and nothing but azure blue clung overhead. The runs kept coming. At a rate that might not have concerned Green too much as the visitors reached the 100-mark in the 22nd over, but the quest for a wicket was intensifying. 

Brooker reached her fifty in good time, hastily followed by Thanawala. At this moment the WASP (Wicket and Score Predictor) was at its highest of 87%. Wickets were vital to stemming the stream of runs. Mere moments had passed after Thanawala was dropped when the breakthrough was made, though it would be Brooker who made way first in an over that would greatly alter the narrative. Green had bowled four overs without reward, but she'd claim two valuable scalps in the space of just four balls - first Brooker, then Thanawala - both via the faintest of edges that Adams confidently kept hold of. 

Anna Buckle had toiled in the Sussex sun but earned her reward midway through her spell. Ellen Watson the victim, chipping one into the grateful grasp of Harman. Leicestershire four down, slipping under the scoreboard pressure, and desperate for runs as the overs ticked by. At the 36th over, 90 runs were required off 84 deliveries. A steep task. Sophie Bennett and Weston were the Foxes' final hope, their last stand. 

When Bennett lifted a six off the bowling of Curling those clad in Leicestershire colours grew in noise. But the next few overs would prove pivotal. And at its core was Ava Lee. The 19-year-old had bowled beautifully throughout, but within the space of two overs she had claimed three wickets, and effectively sealed the Sharks' victory. First uprooting Weston's stumps, then Bennett's. The over later she'd dismiss Colquhoun with the finish line swiftly coming into view. 

Stanley was back into the attack at this point, and the eighth Leicestershire wicket was taken. Adjudged LBW - the first leg before wicket of the whole match - an over before Green took her third wicket of the match to remove Holly Whitfield. Then, it was just a matter of time. In the 46th over the result was secured as Stanley steamed in and blew Emma Thatcher's leg stump away. At the end there is a shiver of exulted Sharks, elated with a prized victory. This is how far this team has come. This is only the beginning.

Following Thursday's magnificent spectacle at Arundel - a match that saw Jack Carson and Archie Lenham produce a perfect partnership to down Kent Spitfires - the rolling fields are swapped with the beauty of Lord's as Sussex look to make it back-to-back wins when they entertain Middlesex on Sunday. 

And it was a win imperative not just to kick-start the competition, but to regain some confidence, too. There were excellent shifts out in the middle from John Simpson and Oli Carter, who both raised the bat, as the Sharks move to the capital with confidence.

Team News

Grant Flower has named an unchanged 13-player squad for the trip to Lord's.

Carson (c), Carter, Clark, Crocombe, Foreman, Haines, Hudson-Prentice, Ibrahim, Karvelas, Lamb, Lenham, Rogers, Simpson

The Opposition

In their opening match of their Metro Bank campaign, Middlesex were narrowly defeated by a strong Somerset side. A performance that harvested a plethora of positives - chiefly through Josh de Caires' impressive knock of 71 - the London-based side will be hoping for a better competition after finishing 8th in the T20 group stage.

The two sides last faced off in the One Day Cup back in 2022, where centuries from Tom Alsop (189*) and Cheteshwar Pujara (132) powered the Sharks to a 157-run victory at Hove.

Timings

Tomorrow's match at Lord's will begin at 11am.

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.

Match Tickets

Tickets can be purchased via this link.

Sussex Cricket can confirm the next Members' Forum will take place on Friday, 15th August.

Jon Filby will be hosting a Members' Forum on Friday, 15th August at 12.30pm in the Long Room to discuss the Men’s Fixture Schedule. He will be joined by Paul Farbrace and Martin Richards. Tea and coffee will be available. 

Please note: gates will open at 12 noon to allow Members to attend.