Yorkshire vs Sussex: Day One Match Report

Yorkshire enjoyed the better of a hard-fought opening day of their Vitality County Championship promotion battle with Division Two leaders Sussex at Scarborough, though potentially not by much.

Sussex came into this 10th round Division Two affair top of the table with six wins and Yorkshire third with two. The gap between the two sides was 27 points, and both have high hopes of playing top-flight cricket next season.

Sussex, invited to bat in challenging conditions, battled hard to reach close at 187 for nine from 72 overs, including half-centuries for left-handers Daniel Hughes and Tom Alsop, who top-scored with 84 not out off 184 balls. 

They had to recover from 14-2 during the early stages of the afternoon after rain had limited the morning session to only four overs. Matthew Revis’s seam accounted for three wickets.

Although the day was shortened by 24 overs due to rain at the start and bad light at the end, the play was intriguing, and it would be absolutely no surprise if Sussex’s total turns out to be a competitive one.

They batted under grey skies and on a pitch showing signs of uneven bounce. 

Hughes, who made 53, and Alsop, the latter dropped in the slips on nine during the afternoon, both drove nicely. 

Australian overseas opener Hughes has enjoyed an excellent start to life with the South Coast county during the second half of the summer, mainly in the Vitality Blast.

And he has just signed on to return for the majority of 2025.

He drove the first ball of the match, from Coad, through the covers after Jonny Tattersall had elected to bowl. 

Another memorable one came almost arrow straight off George Hill midway through the afternoon to move him into the forties. But, largely, he was forced to battle hard.

Unfortunately, having done the hard work and got set - he reached his fifty off 85 balls - he drove Coad to cover two balls later, falling to leave Sussex at 75 for three in the 30th over. 

Either side of the morning rain, from 11.20pm to 1.10pm, including lunch, 

Coad had trapped Tom Haines lbw with a full ball with the last delivery of the contest’s opening over before Tom Clark was caught at point.

Hughes and Alsop then shared 61 for the third wicket to ease Sussex nerves.

Like Hughes, Alsop has this week committed his future to the South Coast county, signing a long-term contract. 

He was also strong on the drive but was far more obdurate than Hughes, seemingly determined to make the most of his life on nine when Fin Bean shelled a head-high chance at third slip off the bowling of Matthew Revis. 

After the Hughes dismissal, Thompson trapped James Coles lbw - 85 for four in the 36th over. 

Alsop and captain John Simpson shared 40 into the evening, but the latter pulled George Hill’s seam to midwicket. When Fynn Hudson-Prentice edged Revis to first slip shortly afterwards, Sussex were 134 for six in the 55th. 

Shortly afterwards, Alsop reached his half-century off 142 balls.

Jack Carson and Indian seamer Jaydev Unadkat then offered catches to third and fourth slip as they drove at Revis. 

Sandwiched in between, Ollie Robinson edged Dan Moriarty’s left-arm spin to slip as the score slipped to 172 for nine in the 69th over.

Jonny Bairstow took the wicketkeeping gloves for Yorkshire in his first county appearance of the season and was neat and tidy, while Sussex's new ball seamer Robinson was only called upon late on with the bat and made two. 

Shortly before bad light was called at 6.15pm, the excellent Alsop hit two boundaries - one reverse swept and the other swept - off Moriarty as he ran out of partners.

Report Provided by ECB Reporters' Network

Reaction from Tom Alsop at stumps on day one 

Sussex Sharks VI vs Lancashire VI: Match Report

In the penultimate game for both teams in the BCEW National League Division 1 the Sharks hosted Lancashire at Blackstone on Saturday 17th August. 

Lancashire skipper Sheraz Chohan called correctly and invited the Sharks to set a  total knowing that a win was essential to keep the Sharks’ title aspirations alive.

The Lancastrians opened bowling very disciplined lines and restricted the Sharks to just 53 for 1 off the first 10 overs. 

At the fall of the second wicket, Dan Field looked to press the accelerator and the score had jumped to around 140 by the end of the 20th over. 

With the boundaries flowing Dan’s innings came to an unfortunate end after he got into a terrible tangle and was stumped off the bowling of Arslan Sabir (2-29), scoring 72 off just 47 balls. 

This was the signal for Si Ledwith to open his shoulders and his 69 not out off 47 balls propelled the Sharks to 228-3 when they declared their innings at the end of the 27th over.

With Sussex needing the win and Lancashire desperate for points to avoid relegation, it was clear from the early overs that Lancashire were going to look to bat out the draw and the Sharks were going to set attacking fields to try and get wickets. 

Totally blind Shoaib Nazir looked to push the field back and his 24 off 29 took Lancashire to 44 before the loss of the 2nd wicket, sparking a mini collapse, Lancs slipped to 50 for 4 and then 81 for 6. 

Former Pakistan International Shahzeb Haider was holding the innings together his 43 off 51 balls was a masterclass of defending the good deliveries and mercilessly punishing the bad ball. 

The Sharks kept chipping away at the other end and 2 spectacular catches from Totally Blind Dave Daniels off his son Phil Daniels kept doubt in the Lancs batters mind that any soft defensive shot was going to be gobbled up by the very close fielders. 

The overs were slipping away, and it looked like Lancs just might salvage a result. 

When Phil trapped Shahzeb plum in front the 8th wicket fell, and the win looked on again. 

With just 17 balls left to defend a full straight ball from Dan Field trapped young Lewis Kurucz in front and Lancashire were all out for 136. 

In the end, the Sharks had bagged a 92-run victory to keep them top of Division 1.#

Report provided by Ian Morris 

T20 Quarter-Final Reserve Date Information

With the Sharks’ T20 Vitality Blast quarter-final fast approaching, we’d like to inform ticket holders of the reserve day policy and information. 

Reserve Date

In the event that the match on Wednesday 4th September cannot be completed, the match will be rescheduled for the following day (Thursday 5th September).

The time of the game on the reserve date will be determined by the match officials, to ensure it has the best possible chance of being completed. 

Will my ticket be valid for the reserve date?

Yes, all tickets will be valid for the following day and no refunds will be available under these circumstances.

What if the match cannot be completed on the reserve date?

If the match cannot be completed on Thursday 5th September, the match will be decided by a bowl-off in the Indoor School. 

Spectators would not be permitted in the Indoor School, should this happen.

Will my hospitality ticket be valid for the reserve date?

Hospitality tickets will also be valid for the reserve date; however, food and drink packages will be served regardless of the weather/outcome of the game on Wednesday 4th September (original date).

ECB Announce 2025 IT20 at The 1st Central County Ground

The ECB have today announced that England Women will play West Indies Women in an IT20 on Friday 23rd May at The 1st Central County Ground, Hove. 

The exciting news follows yet another sellout for an England Women's fixture at Hove in 2024 and is expected to be yet another full house when they meet the West Indies Women next summer. 

Information on how and when you can secure tickets for this match will follow in the coming days.

Full ECB Release

England Men’s and England Women’s series against India and West Indies at heart of 2025 schedule

• Five-match Men’s Rothesay Test series and Women’s Metro Bank One Day International and Vitality IT20 series against India at heart of the summer between June 20 and August 4.
• Before that, both sides will take on their West Indies counterparts in white-ball series between May 21 and June 10.
• Zimbabwe return for first time since 2003 with a one-off Rothesay Test at Trent Bridge from May 22 to 25.
• England Men also host Metro Bank ODI and Vitality IT20 white-ball series against South Africa in September to close the home international season.
• Public Ballot for England Men’s and England Women’s international fixtures set to open on 29 August at most venues. Supporters can ensure they are first to receive information about how to buy and gain priority access to tickets by signing up to We Are England Cricket Supporters at ecb.co.uk/tickets/priority.
• Also announced that England Women will take on India in first Women’s Test Match at Lord’s in 2026.

England Men and England Women will play two series alongside each other in 2025 in an exciting line-up of international cricket unveiled today.

England Women will open the international summer at Canterbury on May 21 with a Vitality IT20 against West Indies Women. That series will include a further two IT20s, before the sides compete in three Metro Bank One Day Internationals (ODIs).

A three-match ODI series between England Men and West Indies Men will begin a few days later at Edgbaston on May 29, with a three-match IT20 series straight after. This follows the conclusion of a historic Test match against Zimbabwe at Trent Bridge, starting on May 22, which will be the first time Zimbabwe have played a Test match in England since 2003.

The West Indies series will be followed by England Men’s and England Women’s series against India which will also run alongside each other. A five-match Men’s Rothesay Test series will be interspersed by England Women’s five Vitality IT20s and three Metro Bank One Day Internationals.

The Rothesay Men’s Test series promises to be a thrilling clash, with the sides currently at numbers two and three in the ICC world rankings. The last series ended in a 2-2 draw after England won the decider by seven wickets in 2022 in Ben Stokes and Brendon McCullum’s first summer at the helm. The match had been delayed by a year due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

England Men’s series will begin at Headingley on June 20 before matches at Edgbaston, Lord’s and Emirates Old Trafford. The series will conclude at The Kia Oval in early August.

England Women’s series also promises to be exciting after England triumphed in the IT20 series and India took the ODI crown the last time the two sides met in this country in 2022.

Next year’s England Women’s series will begin with Vitality IT20s at Trent Bridge, Bristol’s Seat Unique Stadium, The Kia Oval, Emirates Old Trafford and Edgbaston, before three Metro Bank ODIs at Southampton’s Utilita Bowl, Lord’s and the Seat Unique Riverside, Chester-le-Street.

The home international summer will then conclude in early September, with England Men taking on South Africa in three Metro Bank ODIs and three Vitality IT20s, before the team travels to Ireland for three ODIs from September 17 to 21.

It has also been confirmed that India Women will return in 2026 for a one-off Test match at Lord’s – the first-ever Women’s Test to be staged at the Home of Cricket. England Women have played white-ball matches at Lord’s for the past three years to record crowds of up to 21,610, with another scheduled next year, but it will be the first time the ground has hosted a Women’s Test match.

Ticket sales activity for priority groups is set to commence from August 29 with a Public Ballot for England Men’s and England Women’s international fixtures.

Supporters can ensure they are first to receive information about how to buy and gain priority access to tickets by signing up to We Are England Cricket Supporters at ecb.co.uk/tickets/priority.

Richard Gould, ECB Chief Executive Officer, said: “Staging England Men’s and England Women’s series alongside each other has been popular with fans and supported the continued growth of the women’s game, with both the Ashes last year and the Pakistan series earlier this year proving successful. I’m excited we’ll be doing the same again for the West Indies and India series next year. Cricket fans are in for a real treat, and I hope they’ll be out in force to support both men’s and women’s sides.

“India touring is always a big draw and a highlight of any cricket summer. The last men’s Test series here was a nailbiter and I’m sure next year’s clash will be just as exciting, while our women’s series are always fiercely competitive. I’m delighted we’ll also be welcoming both West Indies teams back again for white-ball series, following this year’s men’s Test series.

“To be welcoming Zimbabwe back for a men's Test Match will be a historic moment, more than 20 years since their last visit. Test cricket is so beloved in this country, and we know that we have an important role to play in supporting developing test cricketing nations so that this format of the game thrives long into the future.

“I’m also delighted we can confirm that India Women will return in 2026 to take on England Women in the first-ever women’s Test match at Lord’s. It will be a truly special occasion, and one of real significance.”

Jayden Seales to Return to Sussex in 2025

Sussex Cricket is delighted to announce that West Indies Test bowler Jayden Seales will return to the Club at the start of the 2025 season.

The right-arm fast-bowler will be available for selection for the first block of the County Championship fixtures. 

Seales featured in the first 7 of Sussex’s County Championship matches this season, taking 38 wickets at an average of 25.29.

His best figures of 5-29 for Sussex came in a scintillating spell against Derbyshire, helping Sussex to a comfortable innings and 124-run victory, cementing their place at the top of the second division in the County Championship.

Seales recently took 13 wickets in the Test series against England and has taken a total of 62 wickets in 15 appearances for the West Indies.

Speaking on coming back to Sussex for another stint, Seales, said: “It is an absolute pleasure to re-sign for Sussex. I have really enjoyed my time there this season and was very excited when the opportunity came to sign again.

“I can’t wait to be with the team again and hopefully in Division 1 next year!”

Sussex Head Coach, Paul Farbrace, added: “I am delighted that Jayden has signed to return to Hove next season, he is a fabulous bowler and a high-quality person. 

“He showed on many occasions during the early season that he runs in hard every ball, whatever the conditions and situation in the game. 

“He gave himself a great chance of success every day.

“Jayden is an incredibly popular guy in the dressing room, and everyone at the club will be delighted to see him back with us next season and we are all delighted with his continual development playing for the West Indies.”

Yorkshire vs Sussex: Match Preview

Sussex return to Vitality County Championship action tomorrow with a trip to Scarborough to take on promotional rivals Yorkshire. Paul Farbrace has named a 14-player squad for the game, which starts at 11am. 

Squad

Alsop, Carson, Carter, Clark, Coles, Crocombe, Haines, Hudson-Prentice, Hughes, Hunt, Karvelas, Robinson, Simpson* (wk), Unadkat

Team News

Jaydev Unadkat joins up with the squad for the final five games of the Championship season. Daniel Hughes also comes in as the second overseas player.

How to Watch

As ever, you can watch every single ball, free of charge on our livestream via the Match Day Centre. The first ball tomorrow is at 11am.

Zach Lion-Cachet Selected for Netherlands IT20 Squad

Sussex's Zach Lion Cachet has been selected for the Netherlands Men's team for the upcoming IT20 series with the United States and Canada, which begins on Friday 23rd August. 

Zach will be joined by Durham seamer, Brandon Glover, for the six match series. 

Everyone at Sussex Cricket would like to congratulate Zach on his maiden international call-up. #GOSBTS 

Daniel Hughes Re-signs for 2025

Sussex Cricket is delighted to announce that overseas batter Daniel Hughes has re-signed for Sussex for the 2025 season. 

The Australian left-handed batter will be available for all of Sussex’s County Championship and T20 Vitality Blast fixtures.

Hughes, who finished top-run scorer in the group stages of this year’s T20 Vitality Blast, accumulated 560 runs at average of 43.07, including five half-centuries and top score of 96 not-out.

Those runs helped the Sussex Sharks book a home quarter-final against Lancashire Lightning, which takes place on Wednesday 4th September at The 1st Central County Ground. 

He will also feature in Sussex’s final five County Championship games this season as the Club looks to secure promotion to the first division. 

Speaking on returning to Hove, Hughes said: “I’ve loved my first season with Sussex.

"The boys, coaches, club and the entire Sussex community have welcomed me with open arms and it already feels like home. 

"When Farby asked me to sign on for another season I was quick to jump at the opportunity to come back next year. 

"I’m excited to see what we can do for the rest of this season and to keep building into next year. Can’t wait to see what lies ahead.”

Sussex Head Coach, Paul Farbrace, added: “Dan has been top class for us on and off the field, he has bought a wealth of experience to the dressing room and has seriously helped some of our young batters with the development of their games. 

“He has also scored consistent runs and helped the club achieve a home quarter-final in the Blast. 

“Taking over from Cheteshwar is not an easy task, but Dan has fitted in brilliantly and we are all delighted he will be back for the whole of next season.”

Sussex Women Beat Kent and Suffer Defeat to Surrey

Sussex Women played twice in four days in the Women’s London Championship 50-over competition, beating Kent Women on Saturday by 63 runs, before falling to defeat against Surrey Women today at Reigate Priory CC.

A quite outstanding unbeaten 130 from 139 balls from Sussex opener Lucy Western on Saturday ensured Sussex Women won comfortably at BACA. 

Skipper Chiara Green won the toss once again, electing to bat in sunny conditions in Sussex and her decision was certainly justified. 

Western’s opening teammate Phoebe Wilkinson made 53, captain Green made 32 from 36 and there was also a useful cameo from Cassidy McCarthy, who smashed 32 from 14 deliveries to set Kent 309 to win.

It was always going to be a difficult task chasing such a big score and it was Chiara Green who once again stepped up to the plate with the ball.

She took 5-40 from 9.4 overs to dismantle the Kent middle-order. There were also wickets for Tia Joseph, Regina Suddahazai and Cassidy McCarthy as Kent were eventually bowled out for 245. 

After such a dominant win against Kent, the feeling among the Sussex players was that they could go to Surrey and continue their form, however the Surrey bowling attack had other ideas.

With no Lucy Western in the Sussex line-up, the visitors would need someone else to make a big score, however it didn’t happen.

Skipper Chiara Green once again lead from the front, top-scoring with 30 from 42, and although Cassidy McCarthy (23) and Indigo Gentry (20) made useful contributions down the order, Sussex failed to put on a significant partnership. 

They were eventually bowled out for 132 in the 36th over.

With a low score to defend, Sussex would need wickets and they did come. 

Anna Buckle and Cassidy McCarthy both took early wickets to leave Surrey Women 10-2 from the opening 4.3 overs. 

Regina Suddahazai also stepped up to the plate, taking 2-29 to help restrict Surrey’s run-rate and give the underdogs hope. 

Cassidy McCarthy was the pick of the Sussex attack, finishing with figures of 3-29 from her 9 overs.

Surrey survived a flurry of late wickets in their innings, but in the end managed to get over the line in the 30th over.

To see Sussex Women’s fixtures and results, please visit: https://sussexwomen.play-cricket.com/Matches 

­ Photo credit by: Saud Ahmed

Tom Alsop, Jack Carson and James Coles Sign Contract Extensions

Sussex Cricket is delighted to announce that Tom Alsop, Jack Carson and James Coles have all signed contract extensions with the Club.

The new deals will see all three players remain at The 1st Central County Ground until at least the end of the 2027 season.

Tom Alsop

Having initially joined Sussex on a season-long loan in the spring of 2022, he then signed permanently later that year, after making an immediate impact across all formats. 

The left-handed batter has chalked up 2,222 first-class runs for Sussex since joining, at an average of 39.33 and has made 12 half-centuries and 6 centuries. 

In List-A cricket for the Sharks Alsop accumulated 680 runs in 15 innings, with a high-score of 189 not-out.

In this season’s T20 Vitality Blast he scored 337 runs at an average of 37.44 and top score of 87 not-out, helping the Sharks to book a home-quarter-final against Lancashire Lightning. 

Speaking on the extension, Alsop said: “From the day I joined Sussex on loan it’s felt like home. 

“I must give credit to the wonderful people involved in this great club for making me feel so at home. 

“I’m very fortunate to walk through the Tate gates and call Sussex home. 

“As we’ve seen this year the group, we’ve got are starting to realise our potential and I can’t wait to continue being a part of it.”

Jack Carson

A product of the Sussex Cricket Pathway, Jack Carson made his first-team debut for Sussex in the 2020 Bob Willis Trophy, taking a wicket with just his second delivery, also finishing leading wicket-taker in the competition for Sussex.

He has since gone on to feature in 45 first-class matches for the Club, taking 121 wickets at an average of 36.28. 

The off-spinning allrounder has also made significant contributions with the bat, accumulating 1333 first-class runs, with a high-score of 87. 

In 2022 Carson earned his first call up to the England Lions as they toured Sri Lanka, where he took nine wickets in two first-class fixtures. 

Jack Carson said: “I am really pleased to extend my contract here at Sussex. 

“It’s a privilege to continue to represent the county which has become my adopted home. 

“We have such an exciting squad and I’m really happy to continue to be a part of it and hopefully contribute to bringing success and trophies to the Club.”

James Coles

Coles, like Carson, is an off-spinning allrounder that rose through the Sussex ranks at a young age, making his debut at the age of 16 in the Bob Willis Trophy. 

A product of the development partnership between Sussex and Oxfordshire Cricket, Coles has gone on to make 30 first-class appearances for the Club, taking 32 wickets and accumulating 1640 runs, with a top score of 180.

Coles has also featured in 46 white-ball matches for the Sharks, taking 40 wickets and scoring 757 runs. 

He signed his first professional deal with Sussex in 2021 and that was later followed by a call up to the England U19s for a home series against West Indies and then to the World Cup squad for the Under-19 world cup in the Caribbean. 

And just like Alsop and Carson, Coles has been a key figure in this year’s T20 Vitality Blast side that qualified for the knockout stages this September. 

James Coles said: “I’m absolutely chuffed to have been given a new deal.

“I’m really enjoying playing for Sussex and have been very fortunate with the opportunities I’ve been given so a big thanks to Farbs and the coaching staff for that. 

“I can’t wait to be a part of what is going to be a very exciting few years to come.”

Sussex Head Coach, Paul Farbrace is delighted to have extended the contracts of three hugely important players at the Club: “We are all really pleased that these three players have chosen to extend their contracts with the club. 

“They are all players we want to build the team around for the next few years, they are all very talented, hard-working players who also bring a lot to the team and club in general. 

“All three are very popular people who always put the team first.

“Tommy and James have both been selected in the Hundred this year, which shows how highly they are rated in the game, and I expect all three to figure in the England Lions thoughts this coming winter.”