Sussex Sharks made it three wins out of four in the Vitality Blast when they outplayed Glamorgan at Hove, winning by 78 runs with 4.4 overs to spare.

         First James Coles led the way with the bat, with an unbeaten 75, before Nathan McAndrew took over with the ball, with figures of five for 19 from his four overs.  At one point Glamorgan, who had also won two out of three before this fixture, were 49 for seven and appeared to be heading for an even heavier defeat.

             They needed a challenging 196 at 9.8 runs an over and made a bright start but then, in the fourth over, their captain Kiran Carson hit Ollie Robinson tamely to Coles at midwicket.

            In the next over Ben Kellaway was caught on the deep midwicket boundary by Tom Clark off McAndrew and the Australian put himself on a hat-trick when Colin Ingram gloved his next delivery to the keeper.

       That made it 40 for three in the fifth over.  And worse was to come for the visiting side.  In the seventh over Will Smale, attempting to swing a low full toss from Coles to the boundary, lost his off stump instead.  Then McAndrew had Chris Cooke caught behind and placed himself on another hat-rick when he dismissed Dan Douthwaite (bowled middle stump) and Timm van der Gugten (caught at backward-point).  Again, McAndrew missed out on his hat-trick but he had taken five wickets for seven runs in two overs and Glamorgan, at 49 for seven after eight overs, were in disarray.

         Asa Tribe gave their innings a measure of respectability with a 21-ball 34, with a four and three sixes, before he was brilliantly caught by the running and diving Daniel Hughes at short third man and Tymal Mills wrapped it up with two in two.

     Sussex, who chose to bat first, were again indebted to the in-form Coles, who powered his way to his 75 from just 43 deliveries, with seven fours and three sixes.  It was his second fifty of the campaign, and his fourth in the Vitality Blast.  But Tom Alsop was a close second best, with 50 from 27, with five sixes, as the pair struck 90 runs from nine overs for the fourth wicket, with 52 runs coming from the last three overs.

           Glamorgan had hoped for something better after dismissing the dangerous Hughes for just a single in the second over.  Harrison Ward, after a quiet three matches, made his first meaningful contribution of the season, with a bludgeoning 38, with four fours and two sixes, as he added fifty for the second wicket with the dangerous  John Simpson (26) from 28 balls.

             But it was Coles who provided the vital acceleration, raising the hundred in the 13th over as he lofted Mason Crane over extra-cove for four before lifting his next delivery into the pavilion for six.

              Glamorgan fielded six bowlers but  Douthwaite, whose first two overs went for 32, was surprisingly given a third and that went for 16 as Coles drove him straight for six before Alsop hit him over long-on for another maximum.

ECB Reporters’ Network supported by Rothesay

Sharks vs Glamorgan: Double Header

We are back in double-header T20 action tomorrow, with the Men's and Women's team both taking on Glamorgan at The 1st Central County Ground. Both Paul Farbrace and Alexia Walker have named their squads for the games. 

Team News

Men's Squad: Alsop, Carson, Clark, Coles, Crocombe, Currie, Foreman, Hughes, Lamb, McAndrew, Mills, Robinson, Simpson* (wk), Thomas, Ward

Alexia Walker has added one loanee to the squad for tomorrow's game, bringing in Abi Norgrove from Hampshire. 

Women's Squad: Adams, Buckle, Collis, Curling, Gentry, Green, Harman, Joseph, Lewis, Norgrove , O’Neill, Stanley, Westley

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.

Ticket Information

There is still time to get your tickets for tomorrow's action and we have a range of products for to choose from. From our new exclusive Silly Point Pub, to hospitality and BBQ's, there is something for everyone! Head to our Blast is Back homepage to explore your options and get your tickets.

Somerset maintained their 100 per cent record in the Vitality Blast after a seven-wicket win over previously unbeaten Sussex Sharks at Hove.

Having restricted them to 166 for eight after putting Sussex in, Tom Kohler-Cadmore and Tom Lammonby broke the back of Somerset’s chase when they added 89 off 45 balls for the second wicket after Will Smeed departed in the first over.

Kohler-Cadmore top scored with 64 – his 42nd fifty in the format – while Lammonby made 35 and Tom Abell an unbeaten 36 as last season’s beaten finalists sealed their third victory in this season's competition with 12 balls to spare. Once again they look the team to beat in the south group, although strangely this was only their third win at The 1st Central County Ground in T20 history.

Somerset laid the foundations with good bowling at the start and end of the Sussex innings. The Sharks could only score 36 in the powerplay and lost three wickets, and they couldn’t regain momentum when skipper John Simpson, who top scored with 58, was dismissed in the 16th over, the first of four wickets to fall for 26 as Somerset’s seamers, led by Matt Henry (3 for 29) turned the screw.

Sussex had already lost openers Dan Hughes and Harrison Ward cheaply when Henry had James Coles caught at wide mid-on off a leading edge, leaving Sussex 29 for three in the sixth over.

Simpson led a spirited response, first in partnership with Tom Alsop with whom he added 63 off 35 balls. Somerset only bowled one over of spin by Lewis Goldsworthy which went for 13 and were in need of a breakthrough, which Henry provided in the 11th over when Alsop was caught behind off an under-edge for 23.

Simpson, promoted to No3 for Sussex this season, lodged the tenth T20 fifty of his career from 34 balls and found another useful ally in Tom Clark, who helped his captain add 41 for the fifth wicket after being dropped in the deep by Riley Meredith when he’d made just four.

Simpson was trying to clear the rope for the seventh time when he was caught at deep backward square off Craig Overton’s bouncer and when both Jack Carson and Clark failed to clear long on as the innings gently declined.

Somerset suffered an early blow in their reply when Smeed, having hit two boundaries, lost his off stump to Ollie Robinson. But Kohler-Cadmore and Lammonby displayed impressive power and placement in their ball striking. They took 68 from the powerplay to lay the platform for victory.

Lammonby (35) was caught at extra cover in the 11th over giving himself room to hit off-spinner Carson over the top and Kohler-Cadmore, who was dropped on 59, played on to Tymal Mills in the 14th over for 64 off 43 balls (7 fours, 3 sixes). But Somerset only needed a further 34 at that stage and two more Toms – Abell and Rew – got the job done with a minimum of fuss, Abell hitting Coles to the extra-cover boundary off the final ball of the 18th over to seal victory. 

ECB Reporters Network supported by Rothesay

Sharks vs Somerset: Guide to the Game

The Blast is back at The 1st Central County Ground tonight, with the Men's team taking on Somerset under the lights! To help you plan your day with us, we've created a Guide to the Game, with all the info you need ahead of your trip to Hove.

From information on when to arrive, to what you can and catch bring into the game, plus the squad lists for both teams and more, our Guide to the Game is a must-read before you head to the ground. Read the Guide to Game.

Ticket Information

As well as general admission tickets, we are delighted to able to offer Sharks fans, two brand-new premium ticket offerings. 

The first gives you access to our new exclusive venue, the Silly Point Pub. Next we have the Blasting BBQ package. Both packages giving you a little something special on top of your match ticket.

Want to know more? Head to our Blast is Back page to explore your ticketing options for tomorrow! 

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. 

Don't Forget to Bring Your 1st Central Hair Headband!

Sussex Cricket and 1st Central have teamed up to give Sharks fans who re-use their 1st Central Hairy Headbands at a Blast game the chance to win a mystery prize!

As Sharks fans will know, we have been giving out free 1st Central Hairy Headbands at Blast games for the past few seasons, and in the spirit of sustainability, we have partnered with 1st Central to incentivise supporters to re-use their Hairy Headbands at future games.

Starting this Sunday 1st when the Sharks take on Gloucestershire at The 1st Central County Ground, fans who arrive with their headbands at the gate will be given a free raffle ticket and the chance to win a mystery prize. 

Fans who attend games will still be able to pick up headbands free of charge and will also be able to give a small donation, if possible, to the Sussex Cricket Foundation.

It's been the perfect start to the Vitality Blast campaign for Paul Farbrace's Sharks, and they look to make it three victories on the spin as Somerset head to Hove for a Friday evening showdown under the lights.

With wins over Middlesex and holders Gloucestershire, it has been a promising beginning to this fresh campaign with impressive performances with both bat and ball, having skittled the latter all out for just 93 on Sunday. The spotlight now shines on Friday evening.

The Opposition 

Next up, Somerset. And another test for the Sharks as Friday's visitors journey east full of confidence, too, having also won their opening two matches of the Blast campaign.

A five-wicket victory over Surrey on the opening day combined with a blistering eight-wicket win over Essex two days later, where Will Smeed crushed 81 off just 54 balls.

They have strengths in every department, with Matt Henry and Craig Overton already in the wickets, alongside the ever-present bats of Tom Banton and Tom Abell. 

Last campaign they finished third, a mere point shy of the Sharks. They made it all the way to the final - their third appearance in just four years - but the then holders would lose out to Gloucestershire in convincing style.

Team News

Farbrace has named an unchanged 16-player squad for the visit of Somerset.

Squad: Alsop, Carson, Clark, Coles, Crocombe, Currie, Foreman, Hudson-Prentice, Hughes, Lamb, McAndrew, Mills, Robinson, Simpson* (wk), Thomas, Ward

Start Time

The match will get underway at 7pm on Friday, with gates opening at 5.30pm.

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.

Ticket Information

There is still time to get your tickets for tomorrow's action and we have a range of products for to choose from. From our new exclusive Silly Point Pub, to BBQ Blast packages, there is something for everyone! Head to our Blast is Back homepage to explore your options and get your tickets.

Aldridge@BACA Sussex Women’s Cricket League: May Review

Starting in late-April, the third season of the Aldridge@BACA Sussex Women’s Cricket League (SWCL) is underway for its biggest season yet!

Beginning with five rounds of T20 matches in the ECB Premier Division and two rounds of 30-over matches in the regionally split Division 2.

The league now comprises of 17 clubs and 22 teams, growing year-on-year since the inaugural season in 2023. Which is in no small part down to the generous support of Sir Rod Aldridge OBE and the Aldridge Foundation, who sponsor the league and are committed to the growth of Women’s and Girls’ Cricket.

SWCL Division Standings

After an opening block of T20 cricket, Horsham Women’s 1st XI [105pts] lead the way in the ECB Premier Division, losing only 1 game from their 8 played. Hailsham Women’s 1st XI and Burgess Hill Women’s 1st XI both sit in joint second on 75 points, within striking distance and hoping to catch the leaders with 40-over matches about to start in June.

The early leaders in Division 2; West - Chichester Priory Park Women’s 1st XI [60pts] | Central - Aldwick Women’s 1st XI [90pts] | East - Cuckfield Women’s 1st XI and Lingfield Women’s 1st XI [both 60pts].

To follow the standings across the 4 divisions, visit the Aldridge@BACA Sussex Women’s Cricket League official website.

Individual Performances

Cricket is very much a team game, but individual achievements often go a long way towards winning. So, here’s a look at the top five performances at this early stage from across the Aldridge@BACA Sussex Women's Cricket League:

Batting

Millie Gwynn, 95* – Burgess Hill Women’s 2nd XI in Division 2 (East)

Hollie Young, 90* – Hailsham Women’s 1st XI in Premier Division 

Martha Rousou, 83* – Lingfield Women’s 1st XI in Division 2 (East)

Hollie Young, 81* – Hailsham Women’s 1st XI in Premier Division

Hannah Phelps, 74 – Horsham Women’s 1st XI in Premier Division

Bowling

Arwyn James, 5/7 – Lewes Priory Women’s 1st XI in Division 2 (East)

Tillie Tomlinson, 5/15 – Bognor Regis Women’s 1st XI in Division 2 (West)

Sophie Whittington, 4/7 – Horsham Women’s 1st XI in Premier Division

Emily Goss, 4/14 – Burgess Hill Women’s 1st XI in Premier Division

Jessica Palmer, 4/14 – Aldwick Women’s 1st XI in Division 2 (Central)

Each week throughout the season on the Sussex Cricket Foundation social media channels, the best 20 performances with bat and ball are featured (from across competitive recreational cricket in Sussex), thanks to the ECB’s Play-Cricket Honours Boards. 

Give the Sussex Cricket Foundation a follow on - X, Instagram, Facebook & TikTok and connect with the cricket community!

Want to keep tabs on all things Aldridge@BACA Sussex Women’s Cricket League? Remember to visit the official website for comprehensive fixtures, results, statistics, standings and resources for clubs competing in the league.

The Dean Wilson Sussex Cricket League: May Review

The newly named Dean Wilson Sussex Cricket League (SCL) has kicked-off with a thrilling start to the season during the month of May.

Blessed with some very favourable weather in one of the driest springs on record, the early rounds have delivered an enormous amount of cricket up and down the 39 divisions.

More than 700 competitive matches have been played before the start of June, and 4000+ players are turning out every Saturday afternoon for their local cricket clubs. Demonstrating the fine health of the recreational game in Sussex.

A huge thank you to sponsors and Sussex Cricket community partners, Dean Wilson Solicitors LLP, for their invaluable support of recreational cricket. And this National #VolunteersWeek, our heartfelt thanks also go out to the many thousands of club volunteers and officials across the county who enable this great sport to happen and importantly, to grow.

Alongside the regular league season, the T20 Cup competitions have begun with the quarter-final lineup for The Daniel Oliver T20 Cup already confirmed and the second-round schedules decided for The Paul Baker T20 Trophy and T20 Plate respectively.

Division Standings

Horsham 1st XI [120pts] are setting the early pace in the ECB Premier Division, with a perfect record thus far, winning their opening four matches. Closely followed by Preston Nomads 1st XI [103pts], Haywards Heath 1st XI [102pts] and Three Bridges 1st XI [97pts], all with 3 victories from their opening four encounters.

In Division 2, Eastbourne 1st XI [120pts] currently sit on top of the pile. With fellow East Sussex outfit Hastings & St Leonards Priory 1st XI [103pts] in second and West Chiltington & Thakeham 1st XI [99pts] in third, their nearest challengers.

A four-way battle at the top of Division 3 West is underway, with Burgess Hill 1st XI, Pagham 1st XI and Billingshurst 1st XI all on 103 points and Findon on 100 points. Several other sides could easily come into the reckoning as the season develops.

Lastly, Bolney 1st XI and Little Common Ramblers 1st XI can’t be separated, both on 120 points apiece in Division 3 East as they start to establish a ‘gap’ from the rest, even at this early stage.

To stay up to date with the standings across the 39 divisions, you can visit The Dean Wilson Sussex Cricket League official website.

Individual Performances

As well as team performances, we have seen some incredible individual feats across the SCL. Did you know that 178 centuries have been scored and 145 five-wicket hauls have already been taken!

Here are the top five standouts leading the way:

Batting

Tom Marchant, 210 – Eastbourne 2nd XI in Division 5 East

Rory Delves, 204* – Brighton & Hove 4th XI in Division 7 West

James Smilie, 199 – Pulborough 1st XI in Division 11 West (North)

Louis Storey, 198 – West Chiltington & Thakeham 1st XI in Division 2

Sonu Jacob, 197* – Bexhill Strikers 1st XI in Division 10 East

Bowling

Kimani Mbugua, 8/30 – Copthorne 1st XI in Division 8 Central

Nick Ellis, 7/15 – St Andrews 3rd XI in Division 12 Central (North)

Simon Shivnarain, 7/24 – Lindfield 2nd XI in Division 7 Central

Louis Grahame, 7/31 – St Matthias 1st XI in Division 5 Central

Gareth Fuller, 7/42 – Dormansland 1st XI in Division 8 Central

Each week throughout the season on the Sussex Cricket Foundation social media channels, the best 20 performances with bat and ball are featured (from across competitive recreational cricket in Sussex), thanks to the ECB’s Play-Cricket Honours Boards. 

Give the Sussex Cricket Foundation a follow on - X, Instagram, Facebook & TikTok and connect with the cricket community!

As the season gathers pace into June, don’t forget that The Dean Wilson Sussex Cricket League official website is the main place for comprehensive fixtures, results, statistics, standings and resources for clubs competing in the league.

Best of British Events lend support to Sporting Memories!

Best of British Events have kindly donated £1,500 to the Sussex Cricket Foundation to support one of their seven Sporting Memories clubs.

The generous donation will go towards financially supporting the running of the Hove club at the Central United Reformed Church on Blatchington Road.

The Sussex Cricket Foundation has run a successful Sporting Memories programme across the county for several years. 7 clubs operate across the county attended by over 90 participants, with over 25 volunteers helping to run the weekly sessions. 

Using the rich history and heritage of sport, Sporting Memories clubs are open to any people over the age of 50 who enjoy reminiscing about their experiences of watching or playing it. The sessions help those who suffer from dementia, loneliness or any other medical condition and help to create new friends and enjoyment.

Ryan Heal, Managing Director for Best of British Events said “We're very proud to sponsor the Sporting Memories group delivered by the Sussex Cricket Foundation which brings people together through their love of sport. The group provides an outlet for local sports fans to get together and connect on common ground. Many in the group suffer with dementia, depression or loneliness and these groups provide an important lifeline. Since 2009 guests at our Best of British Sporting Events have been entertained by the great and the good of the British Sporting World who share their sporting stories, experiences and achievements at each event." 

"This is why we are sponsoring this initiative as we fully appreciate and celebrate the positive impact of Sporting Memories."

Emma Brooke from the Sussex Cricket Foundation, who coordinates the programme added “Sporting Memories is such a wonderful way of bringing older sports fans together. I get to see first-hand the difference it makes to our members, who not only get to share their sporting experiences but form new friendships too. I regularly receive emails or am told when visiting our clubs how much they look forward to attending, it's a real highlight of their week. Supported by a fantastic group of trained volunteers our weekly clubs are thriving, full of fun and laugher and of course a bit of friendly competition!”

If anyone is interested in learning more about our Sporting Memories programme please visit our website page here or contact foundation@sussexcricket.co.uk

For more information on the Sussex Cricket Foundation, please read their latest Impact Report.

   Sussex Sharks made it two wins out of two in the Vitality Blast when they marked their first home fixture with victory over Gloucestershire by 80 runs.  But after their success last season it has been a disappointing start to the new campaign by Gloucestershire, who were beaten by just four runs in their high-scoring opener against Kent.

          They needed 174 for victory here but were bundled out for 93, with only three batsmen making double figures. After making a bright start to their chase Gloucestershire soon ran into trouble.  Ollie Robinson sent Cameron Bancroft’s off-stump cartwheeling to make it 19 for one and when D’Arcy Short was caught on the deep backward-square boundary they had lost both their Australian overseas players inside the first four overs.

           Miles Hammond then pulled a short ball from Tymal Mills to mid-wicket and one run later Jack Taylor had his off-stump pegged back by the first delivery of the match from James Coles.  It was 49 for five when Ben Charlesworth lofted Jack Carson to long-on.  Carson had been brought into the team to counter the high number of left-handers in the Gloucestershire team.

          The dangerous James Bracey was still there but he couldn’t find anyone to hang around with him.  It was 50 for six when Ollie Price, reverse sweeping, was caught behind off Carson and then Matt Taylor was stumped as he went down the wicket to Coles.  David Payne had his middle stump plucked out by by Mills to make it 88 for eight, Aman Rao was caught at mid-on to give Nathan McAndrew a wicket and finally Tom Smith was caught at midwicket to give Mills his third.

       Earlier, the Sussex innings had been built around a fine fourth wicket stand of 105 in ten overs by Tom Alsop and the in-form  Coles, before a collapse saw them lose their last seven wickets for 25 runs.

      Daniel Hughes looked in prime form on a true pitch, with a rapid outfield, and muscled six fours in his 19-ball 34 to give the home side some early impetus.  But he was caught in two minds over his shot selection and tamely lofted Price – who had already bowled Harrison Ward -  to mid-off.  And Gloucestershire made it two wickets in two balls when John Simpson sliced his lofted drive against Matt Taylor and watched in horror as Hammond pulled off a sensational one-handed diving catch to make Sussex 43 for three in the sixth over.

       But then Alsop (58 off 35, with six fours and two sixes) and Coles (43 off 27, with four sixes) pulled the match towards their side.  They set their violent tone when they each hit a six off the 11th over bowled by Tom Smith, which cost 17 runs.

         The 100 partnership came up in the 15th over.  But from 148 for three at 15.1, when Sussex fancied a total in excess of 200, their innings perished before steady Gloucestershire bowling backed up by an outstanding fielding outfit.  David Payne and Matt Taylor took three wickets apiece.  But Sussex had already made enough.

Sharks vs Gloucestershire: Guide to the Game

The Blast is back at The 1st Central County Ground, starting tomorrow with a Men's and Women's double-header clash against Gloucestershire. To help you plan your day with us, we've created a Guide to the Game, with all the info you need ahead of your trip to Hove.

From information on when to arrive, to what you can and catch bring into the game, plus the squad lists for both teams and more, our Guide to the Game is a must-read before you head to the ground. Read the Guide to Game.

Ticket Information

As well as general admission tickets, we are delighted to able to offer Sharks fans, two brand-new premium ticket offerings. 

The first gives you access to our new exclusive venue, the Silly Point Pub. Next we have the Blasting BBQ package. Both packages giving you a little something special on top of your match ticket.

Want to know more? Head to our Blast is Back page to explore your ticketing options for tomorrow! 

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 on the matchday all the way the day until 10:30pm. 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. 

Don't Forget to Bring Your 1st Central Hair Headband!

Sussex Cricket and 1st Central have teamed up to give Sharks fans who re-use their 1st Central Hairy Headbands at a Blast game the chance to win a mystery prize!

As Sharks fans will know, we have been giving out free 1st Central Hairy Headbands at Blast games for the past few seasons, and in the spirit of sustainability, we have partnered with 1st Central to incentivise supporters to re-use their Hairy Headbands at future games.

Starting this Sunday 1st when the Sharks take on Gloucestershire at The 1st Central County Ground, fans who arrive with their headbands at the gate will be given a free raffle ticket and the chance to win a mystery prize. 

Fans who attend games will still be able to pick up headbands free of charge and will also be able to give a small donation, if possible, to the Sussex Cricket Foundation.