Sussex Sharks Women head to Grace Road to face Leicestershire Women in the opening match of the One Day Cup campaign.

It was a prominent outing in this competition for Alexia Walker's Sharks last season, finishing 7th in the Metro Bank One Day Cup Women League 2 with four wins and five defeats from their nine group matches.

It wasn't quite enough to secure a place in the latter stages of the competition, but there was plenty of promise for the youthful Sharks in a season that just seemed to improve with each passing week. It was the dawn of a new chapter, and that fine spirit and mood has continued this winter as they look to build on last season's promising performances.

The Opposition

There were plenty of lessons learned for Leicestershire Women last season in what saw them claim two wins from their nine group matches, losing the other seven. There was plenty of promise on display, though, especially in last year's meeting between the two clubs before the Sharks ran away winners by a margin of 56 runs on a sultry summer's day at Arundel.

They ended up finishing just a place below Sussex, but were eight points adrift. This a year where Women's Head Coach, Stephen Franklin, will look to further develop his similarly youthful players and progress higher up the table.

2026 Squad Update

Walker has confirmed an official 15-player squad for the 2026 season, which is as follows:

Mollie Adams, Anna Buckle, Izzy Collis, Lottie Curling, Kali-Ann Docherty, Indigo Gentry, Chiara Green, Beth Harvey, Bella Johnson, Anna Lewis, Faye Mullins, Eve O'Neill, Shristi Patil, Talitha Stanley, Phoebe Wilkinson.

Team News

Alexia Walker has chosen a 13-player squad for tomorrow's trip to Leicestershire, with Chiara Green continuing her captaincy for this upcoming campaign. Mollie Adams, Eve O'Neill and Shristi Patil are all part of England U19s currently touring Australia, and so miss out. Kali-Ann Docherty, Talitha Stanley and Lottie Curling all miss out through injury.

That allows pathway products Sophie Beck and Georgie Pedley the opportunity to have their name in the first squad of the season, as former Sussex representatives Nancy Harman and Ava Lee return on loan from Hampshire Women. So, too, does Poppy Tulloch.

Sunday Squad News

Sophie Beck, Anna Buckle, Izzy Collis, Indigo Gentry, Chiara Green (c), Nancy Harman, Bella Johnson, Anna Lewis, Ava Lee, Faye Mullins, Georgie Pedley (wk), Poppy Tulloch, Phoebe Wilkinson.

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.

The action gets underway tomorrow at 10.30am.

By Paul Weaver, ECB Reporters’ Network supported by Rothesay

A counter-attacking seventh wicket stand of 115 in 28 overs between Kai Smith (53) and Chris Woakes (64) pulled Warwickshire round from the perils of 116 for six against Sussex at Hove.

But Sussex hit back after tea to take the last four wickets for 35 runs. And they finished the day the happier of the two sides when they did not lose a wicket before the close, which was 9.2 overs early because of bad light.

Sussex went into the match on the back of an emphatic 222-run victory at Leicester, Warwickshire after a run-soaked draw with Surrey in which they often got the better of the 2024 champions.

Warwickshire’s powerful batting line-up must have fancied another run glut after winning the toss and choosing to take first knock on a brown strip that looked as though it had been borrowed from midseason.

But they were confounded by the Sussex seamers, who all bowled superbly.

They lost their first wicket in the seventh over when Alex Davies edged Ollie Robinson to the wicketkeeper for an 18-ball three. And in the next over Dan Mousley, who had scored just a single, edged Fynn Hudson-Prentice and was well caught low down and to his left by Tom Clark at second slip.

Warwickshire were 22 for three in the 14th over when Sam Hain dragged one on in Tom Price’s first over. Robinson, Hudson-Prentice, Price and Henry Crocombe had such a hold on the Warwickshire batting that it was only when left-arm spinner James Coles came on a short while before lunch that the pressure eased. Coles went for ten runs in his first over and eight in his second.  At lunch Warwickshire were 69 for three.

As if emboldened by this, Warwickshire opted for a more positive approach after the break, but lost three quick wickets as they did so.

With the score on 83 Rob Yates, defending off the back foot, was caught by Clark at second slip for 36 – the same fielder had dropped him a little earlier, when he had made 31.

Then, at 109, Warwickshire lost their fifth wicket when the dangerous Beau Webster, defending against a ball that moved away, edged Robinson to keeper John Simpson for 48.  And when captain Ed Barnard chopped on to Price for 18 the visitors were floundering on 117 for six.

But Smith and Woakes turned the innings rounds with a century stand in 19 overs.  When they reached tea on 223 for six Warwickshire had scored 154 runs in he session, more than double their tempo before lunch.

When Smith worked Carson to leg to reach his fifty from 63 deliveries he looked in the mood to make a major score. But on 53 he clipped Crocombe off his legs and Carson took a sharp low-down catch at midwicket.  He had hit a six (off Clark) and six fours.

Three overs later Crocombe, who had changed ends, beat Woakes for pace and took out the batsman’s off-stump.  Woakes had faced 64 deliveries and struck nine sweet fours and a pulled six off Crocombe. Price and Crocombe polished of the tail.

Sussex Cricket has agreed a new multi-year partnership with independent family brewer and pub company Shepherd Neame.

The agreement, which unites the world’s first professional sports club with Britain’s oldest brewer, becomes the most lucrative pouring rights partnership in the club’s history.

Shepherd Neame’s flagship brands, including Singha lager, First Drop IPA and Iron Wharf stout, will now be served across the ground at Hove, including within the Sixes bar at the venue.

The partnership also includes investment in new bar infrastructure at the historic County Ground. Shepherd Neame will install several new bars around the ground ahead of the 2026 season, including a 40-foot container bar overlooking the boundary on the east side of the ground.

Alongside improvements to the ground’s bar facilities, Shepherd Neame and Sussex Cricket will also launch a new premium 4% Lager named Sea End, that will be exclusively available for supporters at the venue.

Sussex staple and fan favourite Harvey’s Best Bitter will continue to be served alongside Shepherd Neame’s leading brands, ensuring a wide range of alcoholic and 0% refreshments for supporters on matchdays, as well as visitors attending conferences and events at the ground.

Sussex Cricket Interim Chief Executive Mark West said: “We entered the tender process for our new pouring rights partnership with clear objectives: to find a partner who shares our values, engages with our supporters and invests in the stadium infrastructure, while providing high quality products at an affordable price point.

“Working with Shepherd Neame will introduce premium new options for supporters, alongside an innovative fan engagement programme and increased exposure for the club across Shepherd Neame’s venues in Brighton and Sussex.

“This partnership also supports our wider vision to develop Hove into one of the leading sports, entertainment and leisure venues in Sussex.”

Shepherd Neame’s Commercial Director Nigel Bunting said: “We are absolutely delighted to partner with Sussex Cricket, an institution with a proud heritage and an exciting future. This collaboration allows us to bring our award‑winning beers to a passionate sporting community while investing meaningfully in the matchday experience. 

“We’re looking forward to working hand‑in‑hand with the club to enhance the atmosphere at Hove, support its ambitions for growth, and raise a glass with supporters as we celebrate Sussex Cricket’s successes in the seasons ahead.”

Sussex Cricket are delighted to unveil the new white ball kits for the forthcoming Vitality Blast and Metro Bank One Day Cup competitions.

For online orders, please note: This garment is on a pre-order basis. Delivery estimated time of arrival: early June, though that is subject to change. Visit our online club shop here. The club shop will soon be stocked with all 2026 replica merchandise. 

Spring is in the air and with it County Championship cricket returns to Hove as Warwickshire journey down to the south coast in good stead following a run-fest of a draw with Surrey in their opening match of the campaign.

But for Paul Farbrace's Sussex their season opener couldn't have gone much better: a thunderous 222-run victory in Leicestershire that saw contributions from just about every player. Tom Clark's century in the opening innings was utterly crucial, before Henry Crocombe took not only career best innings figures of 5-33, but also career best match figures (9-69).

Mix it all together and you've got a Sussex side eclipsing their points deduction total at the earliest opportunity, as we sit on 10 points following the opening gameweek ahead of this forthcoming home opener.

Team News

Farbrace has confirmed a 15-player squad for Sussex's hosting of Warwickshire, with it almost entirely unchanged from last weekend's win at Leicestershire barring the inclusion of 20-year old bowler, Nantes Oosthuizen.

Seamers Sean Hunt and Dom Goodman continue to miss out through injury. 

Squad: Carson, Clark, Coles, Crocombe, Haines, Hudson-Prentice, Hughes, Ibrahim, Lamb, Leaning, Oosthuizen, 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. To find out more, visit https://sussexcricket.co.uk/player-coach-sponsorship

The Opposition 

A colossal 1,319 runs were scored in Warwickshire's first fixture of the campaign at Edgbaston, with the hosts only batting once as they posted 544 ao. Dan Mousley (144) and Sam Hain (94) were the pick of the batters in the opening four sessions of the match, before skittling Surrey out fairly cheaply (328 ao) to give the hosts hope.

Yet Surrey dug in and centuries from Jamie Smith and Dan Lawrence ensured the draw. Beau Webster, Warwickshire's overseas signing for the first half of the season, batted well, too. There were starts for two of the three new additions Ian Westwood made in the winter, with bowlers Nathan Gilchrist and Jordan Thompson both in the XI and both in the wickets. 

Warwickshire finished 5th in Division One last season, level on points with Sussex but a place below. 

Spectator Information

Gates will open for all four days at 9.30am, with the toss taking place at 10.30am and the first ball at 11am.

Supporters are advised to arrive early if they need to visit the Ticket Office. We strongly recommend that all non-members purchase their tickets in advance, online here. 

Before play begins on Friday, at 10.50am, we will take a moment to remember and celebrate the lives of three individuals who have made a lasting contribution to Sussex Cricket: Tony Pigott, Norman Gifford and Arnold Long. 

We will also take this opportunity to remember all Vice Presidents and Members of the Club who have sadly passed away, and whose contribution and support remain an important part of our history.

Free Entry to Day Three

On Sunday, we've continued our tradition of regularly opening our doors to the public by making entry to the third day of the match completely free of charge to all spectators. 

Join us for a day of the finest County Cricket in the Sussex sunshine. All you need to do is claim a free ticket online, in advance, to gain entry into Hove.

North East Gate

As a reminder, the North East Gate will be closed for Days 3 and 4 of all our home County Championship games this season. Entry to Hove will only be available via the Main Entrance, situated on Eaton Road, on these days.

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.

By Jon Culley, ECB Reporters Network supported by Rothesay

Sussex kicked off their 2026 Rothesay County Championship season in style, with an emphatic 222-run victory over Leicestershire at Uptonsteel Grace Road.

Ollie Robinson’s team arrived at Uptonsteel Grace Road at a 12-point disadvantage compared with the other Division One counties as a condition of the financial framework agreed with the England and Wales Cricket Board over the winter.

But after Leicestershire fell well short of the mammoth 481 last-innings target needed to pull off an unlikely win, Sussex take 22 points to climb out of the bottom two at the first attempt.

At 125 for five overnight, defeat for Leicestershire was only a matter of time. Stevie Eskinazi (54) and Ben Cox (60) shared a 103-run sixth-wicket stand to help keep the contest going beyond lunch, before Sussex wrapped up the win by bowling the home side out for 258 in the fifth over of the afternoon, pace bowler Henry Crocombe taking four for 36 for match figures of nine for 69.

It was a victory their dominance of the match fully merited, following a century for Tom Clark and five wickets each for Robinson and Crocombe in the first innings, before Jack Carson and Tom Price, who enjoyed an excellent debut following his winter move from Gloucestershire, snuffed out any prospect of a Leicestershire fightback with a 119-run stand in the second innings.

Still 356 runs from their target when the fourth day began, Eskinazi and Cox put into practice exactly what the former had spoken of on the third evening, namely putting the expected result to one side and simply trying to win individual battles and build confidence.

Although Cox was dropped by James Coles at slip off Price on 26 in the fourth over of the morning, the pair frustrated Sussex for almost an hour and a half before a breakthrough was made.

On a wicket now offering a degree of turn, albeit slow turn, they faced spinners Coles and Jack Carson in tandem for a dozen overs, yet both notched their first half-centuries of the season, Eskinazi’s off 122 balls with eight fours, Cox more briskly, facing 82 balls and finding seven boundaries.

From the home side’s point of view, anticipating the fillip of a wicketless session, it was a disappointment that when Fynn Hudson-Prentice replaced Carson at the Bennett End, Eskinazi’s concentration lapsed for probably the first time.

The delivery came back in a little but Eskinazi’s response seemed to lack conviction, the ball deflecting off an inside edge into the stumps.

The pair had added 103 in 36 overs, the best Leicestershire partnership of the contest. As often happens, though, one wicket brought another for Sussex, Hudson-Prentice tempting Cox into a pull that found Carson on the square-leg boundary.

Coles had Tom Scriven caught at leg slip but at 244 for eight at lunch it was only a matter of how much longer Leicestershire could resist.  In the event, only four overs and one ball longer as Sam Wood was caught at gully fending off a Crocombe bouncer and Ben Green hooked to square leg.

Sussex had put down a marker in the first session of the opening day, punishing a depleted Leicestershire attack who were given early notice that, however impressive they were in winning the Division Two title last summer, there is little margin for error at the higher level.

Clark built on that flying start before Robinson and Crocombe combined to dismiss Leicestershire for 245 despite Australian Test opener Jake Weatherland’s 83 on debut.

By Jon Culley, ECB Reporters Network supported by Rothesay

Sussex are poised to claim a morale-boosting first-round victory after day three of their Rothesay County Championship clash with Leicestershire left the home side on the ropes.

Chasing a fourth-innings target of 481 after Sussex were bowled out for 364 in their second innings, the 2025 Division Two champions were 125 for five at the close, still 355 in arrears.

Eager to start with a win after beginning the season with a 12-point deficit imposed as a condition of an ECB financial framework, Sussex had Jack Carson (85) and Tom Price (73) to thank for keeping them in control, the pair sharing a stand of 119 for the seventh wicket. Rehan Ahmed and Ian Holland took three wickets each for the home side.

Leicestershire had hoped they might be chasing a fourth-innings target somewhat less daunting after picking up three wickets in the first 10 overs of the morning, leaving Sussex 182 for six, only for Carson and Price to re-establish their side’s superiority.

Ben Green had struck in his second over, a lovely delivery that hit the top of off stump to remove the threat of James Coles. Green picked up a second as Stephen Eskinazi held a good catch at second slip to dismiss Jack Leaning, who added just six to his first-innings 13 on debut.

With the departure of John Simpson in the next over, Holland winning a perhaps generous lbw decision, Sussex’s lead stood at 298, a decent advantage but small enough for Leicestershire to consider themselves in the game.

With a depleted attack, though, it was an optimistic position they could not sustain, as Carson and Price responded with a partnership that underlined off-spinner Carson’s progress as a batter and consolidated the good impression already being made by Price following his move from Gloucestershire.

The pair stretched the Sussex lead beyond 400. Carson, who made his maiden first-class century against Worcestershire last May, looked to have a second in his grasp, what’s more having walked out as nightwatchman on Saturday. Being denied by Rishi Patel, a part-time spinner, must have hurt.

Nonetheless, after facing 140 deliveries and hitting seven fours, he had ensured Sussex retained all the cards. Ex-Gloucestershire all-rounder Price swelled his debut match aggregate to 116 with an innings of 10 fours before pulling Holland to midwicket.

With a lead already in excess of 450, a declaration at that point would have seemed reasonable. As it was, Robinson let the innings run its natural course. Ahmed picked up the last two wickets as Robinson was caught behind reverse-sweeping and Henry Crocombe stumped, leaving Fynn Hudson-Prentice not out on 34.

After tea between innings, Leicestershire faced some full-on aggression, at least at the start of the 38 overs remaining in the day. Patel, who likes to meet fire with fire, always has the potential to be an early casualty and was again, although not in the way that might have been predicted - run out by a sensational piece of fielding by Carson, who not only saved four on the slide on the long-leg boundary but capped it off by running out the opener with a direct hit on to the stumps as he went for a second.

Before an hour had elapsed, Leicestershire were 52 for four. Carson, into the attack after seven overs, had Holland well taken at short midwicket; Jake Weatherald launched Carson for six over long-on but was soon caught behind slashing at Crocombe, whose next ball dismissed Lewis Hill at third slip, last season’s leading Leicestershire run scorer bagging a pair.

Eskinazi and Ahmed stemmed the flow of wickets for 10 overs before Ahmed, having moments earlier survived a difficult caught-and-bowled chance off the same bowler, injudiciously gave James Coles the charge and was stumped.

Assisted now by Ben Cox, Eskinazi plotted a route to the close with no further mishap, although Cox, on 16, survived a chance to second slip off Carson.

By Jon Culley, ECB Reporters Network supported by Rothesay

Ollie Robinson’s pitch for an England recall could hardly have gone better as he and fellow pace bowler Henry Crocombe took five wickets each to keep Sussex firmly in control against Leicestershire in the Rothesay County Championship.

Looking lean and hungry, Sussex’s newly-appointed red-ball captain took five for 42 from 16 overs, with 24-year-old Crocombe backing him up with an impressive career-best five for 33 from 12 as the home side were bowled out for 245, conceding a lead of 116.

Daniel Hughes, dropped twice, gave the Sussex second innings the start they wanted by making an assertive 72 as they finished on 149 for three, stretching their advantage to 265.

Jake Weatherald, the Australian Test opener, marked his Leicestershire debut with a watchable 83 but found meagre support and it was only an 81-run eighth-wicket partnership between Ben Cox (44) and Ben Green (43 not out) that saved the Division Two champions from following on in their first match back in the top flight.

Robinson and Crocombe had begun by reducing Leicestershire from 15 for one overnight in reply to Sussex’s 361 to 139 for five at lunch, despite Weatherald making an impressive impact.

The left-hander, a last-minute Foxes addition after captain Peter Handscomb’s decision to miss the 2026 season for family reasons, won appreciative applause for his driving from the home crowd. His half-century came off only 65 balls.

At the other end, though, it was a different story, at least in the final six overs of the session. Up to that point, at 117 for two, Leicestershire had seemed to be building a decent reply. Their only casualty, in addition to the loss of opener Rishi Patel on Friday evening, had been nightwatchman Tom Scriven, lbw to Robinson.

Robinson, who last played Test cricket more than two years ago, was bowling nicely but it was a spell by Crocombe, a right-armer still trying to ally consistency with undoubted pace, that did the most telling damage, removing three of Leicestershire’s middle order in the space of 13 deliveries. Ray Baker, the England bowling scout in attendance here, would have been impressed.

Ian Holland, who had looked relatively comfortable in adding 77 with Weatherald for the third wicket, was caught at third slip off a slightly loose shot, but if his dismissal had an element of batter error, that could not be said of the fate of Rehan Ahmed and Lewis Hill.

Both perished trying to defend quick, skilful deliveries, Ahmed caught behind to one that nipped back and took the outside edge, Hill bowled by one that straightened to beat his block and uproot off stump.

What was turning into a profitable phase for Sussex continued after lunch as Stephen Eskinazi edged to third slip, his dismissal followed in the same Robinson spell by the one the visitors most wanted as Weatherald, who had moved to 83, made a rare misjudgment and chopped on.

At this point, at 154 for seven, the deficit was a yawning 207. A fightback of sorts followed as the resilient Cox and the canny all-rounder Green combined. Cox in time became Robinson’s fifth victim, but not until the eighth-wicket pair had at least averted the follow-on.
Crocombe now took over from Robinson and finished the innings with two wickets in two balls, having Sam Wood caught behind before Yadvinder Singh’s so-far inauspicious debut continued with a first-ball leg before.

It left Sussex with 33 overs in the final session to build on their advantage. They lost Tom Haines, caught at first slip for 13, and first-innings centurion Tom Clark for 16, taken by Patel as the only slip, but Australian left-hander Hughes rode his luck, put down on 24 at extra cover and 29 at slip, on the way to 72 from 97 balls, including nine fours and two sixes, before being bowled by Ahmed, with a ball that turned and kept low.
 

By Jon Culley, ECB Reporters Network supported by Rothesay

Tom Clark took full advantage of being dropped in single figures to make an opening-day century for the second season in a row as visitors Sussex made an impressive 361 after being asked to bat first against promoted Leicestershire.

The tall left-hander, who struck 140 against Warwickshire in his first innings of the 2025 Rothesay County Championship campaign, made 101 against the Division Two champions, having been put down in the slips on six.

Opener Tom Haines, a possible contender for England’s top-order after making a good impression for England Lions in Australia, began his domestic campaign with an eye-catching half-century, with all-rounder Tom Price chipping in a useful 43 on debut after his move from Gloucestershire.   Ben Green (three for 54) was the best of the Leicestershire attack, backed up by skipper Ian Ian Holland (three for 79). 

Faced with four overs at the close, Leicestershire lost opener Rishi Patel, caught behind off Ollie Robinson, Sussex’s new skipper and another with his eyes on the England side, to finish on 15 for one.

Sussex started the season with a 12-point deduction as a consequence of needing an ECB bailout following heavy financial losses. They will see this match as an opportunity to make early inroads into that deficit, to which end they should be well pleased with their day.

More so given that the pitch at Uptonsteel Grace Road looked as bowler-friendly as might have been anticipated on the opening day of the season, even if Sussex’s 154 for two at lunch might suggest otherwise.

Leicestershire’s preparations have been hit by a rash of injuries among their seamers. New signing Josh Davey is sidelined along with Ben Mike, Alex Green and Josh Hull.  Yet those absences could be offered only as a partial excuse for Sussex’s profitable morning. Holland and the experienced Green would have been picked even from a full squad, as probably would have Tom Scriven.

The Sussex batters chose to be aggressive from the outset. They rode their luck at times, most notably when Leicestershire’s debutant Australian Test batter Jake Weatherald, at third slip, handed Clark his escape by spilling a regulation catch off Holland, but generally missed few opportunities, of which plenty were on offer.  

Sussex were 57 from 5.5 overs when Dan Hughes was well caught at third man in Green’s opening over. They had 100 on the board in the 15th over and 136 in the 25th was none too shabby as Haines, chasing a wide delivery, became their second casualty, was caught behind.

Haines had reached his half-century in 52 balls, the first in the country to that mark. Clark’s took 70 deliveries, numbering seven fours and two sixes.

The afternoon reflected more favourably on the home attack, for whom Holland and Green were excellent, Sam Wood claimed a deserved wicket and Rehan Ahmed found some turn to remove the threat posed by John Simpson, who scored almost 400 runs in the last two matches between these counties. 

Wood’s scalp was that of James Coles, who bottom-edged an expansive drive into his stumps; Holland pinned Sussex debutant Jack Leaning in front and, switching to the pavilion end for the first time, drew Clark into a forward defensive that saw him caught behind by Ben Cox, standing up; England’s leg-spinning all-rounder Ahmed had Simpson leg before.  

Clark’s hundred came off 160 balls, with nine fours and four sixes.  Sussex added 108 in the session, but at a cost of four wickets as they slipped from 192 for two to 262 for six.

Price, who hit seven boundaries, advanced the Sussex cause after tea before Yadvinder Singh’s perseverance was rewarded with an lbw verdict.

Former Worcestershire right-armer Singh, who has been signed on a short-term contract, had a nightmare start after being trusted with the new ball at the pavilion end, conceding 25 in two overs. 
  
Fynn Hudson-Prentice’s 33, after being dropped on five, secured the third batting bonus point.

The long, long winter comes to a close as county cricket returns. Yesterday's news of Head Coach Paul Farbrace announcing his departure at the end of the campaign completed an offseason marred with challenges, but that's all been pushed into the past as Friday marks the opening day of the County Championship schedule, with Leicestershire the destination. 

And there is real optimism about the squad and the season. There's been some re-shuffling behind the scenes, too, with John Simpson moving to a Club Captain role as Ollie Robinson steps up to lead the side in the County Championship. Farbrace remains committed for the duration of the campaign, and has built a squad he is confident can lift the Division One title.

Team News

Paul Farbrace has confirmed a 14-player squad for the trip up to Leicester, with Dan Hughes returning to the XI following his recent arrival from Australia. New arrivals Tom Price and Jack Leaning are in the squad for the first time, with Robinson ready to captain the side.

Bowlers Sean Hunt and Dom Goodman both miss out on the squad through injury. 

Squad: Carson, 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. To find out more, visit https://sussexcricket.co.uk/player-coach-sponsorship

The Opposition 

A bustling winter of ins and outs for the Division Two champions who will feel they have strengthened both with the bat and the ball. They're on the up, literally, having finished clear at the top of the table by 48 points. Ben Green, Stephen Ezkinazi, Jonny Tattersall, Josh Davey and Yadvinder Singh have all joined the Midlands club, though Davey is a doubt for this fixture.

Leicestershire's seam attack has been rocked a little in recent weeks, as Josh Hull, Ben Mike and Alex Green all join Davey as unlikely to feature. Overseas Peter Handscomb has announced he won't play any part in this season due to personal reasons, signing Jake Weatherald as a replacement for the opening six games.

Kiwi spinner Ajaz Patel is another overseas signing for Alfonso Thomas' side.

How to Watch

You will be available to watch all four days of our season opener via Leicestershire's YouTube channel, or you can join us at the Uptonsteel County Ground by purchasing your tickets here.