Briggs: "I've been looking forward to it for a while!"
You heard it: Briggs is back. And he's here to stay, too, as he although he'll be a feature of the Sharks' T20 side this season, he'll also have one eye on the future as he returns in a player-coach role.
Briggs made 130 appearances for Sussex after joining from Hampshire in 2016, taking 169 wickets and scoring 926 runs. Since his departure, he's been impressing with Warwickshire, in addition to Hundred stints with Southern Brave and Oval Invincibles.
It's back to Sussex now for Briggs, and we caught up with the 34-year-old upon his return to the county.
Danny, welcome back! How does it feel to be back here at Hove?
Yeah, really good! Obviously, I've been looking forward to it for a while, having signed a while ago now. I'm looking forward to getting going, getting the winter started. I would love to fast forward to the summer, but there's some hard yards before and hopefully for a successful summer.
So you're back after a very successful stint a few years ago... tell us why! What was it that brought you back to Sussex?
I loved my time down here first time anyway, and I think Farby [Paul Farbrace] obviously showed some interest back last summer, showed his sort of vision and the way the club's been going in the last couple of years.
It really is on the up. It's a great place to play. I loved playing at Hove first time round. So yeah, it was very appealing and also the opportunity to help out some spinners and the younger players as well.
So you'll be coaching as well as playing. What are some of your aims for this season and indeed for the future as well, then?
I think just to keep improving really, and that goes for the players, myself and as a team. I think the team's on an upward trend, as I said before, and we want to keep that upward trend and compete. Obviously T20, we'd love to get to finals day and hopefully win the thing as well. So I mean, that would be an aim and along the way, help players obviously improve and contribute as often as possible.
Let's talk about this coaching role. Can you expand on that a little bit for us?
Yeah, I think, I suppose it's to use my experience and help the spinners mainly, but obviously any player. I've sort of got to the stage of my career where I want to help others and obviously that experience and knowledge can help.
So hopefully I can do that along the way, and ultimately it's so we can win more games for Sussex and hopefully England as well in time to come!
And obviously with Jack Carson, James Coles and Troy Henry - obviously talented young spinners - you see this as an opportunity for growing their game as well?
Yeah, I hope so. I've always sort of played the game and in a good way to try and help others along the way as well. I suppose now I've sort of banked up a decent amount of experience in games Hopefully I can sort of pass that on, give them my knowledge and help them along the way and it'd be great to obviously see them thrive as well!
Briggs is back for Blast! Are you? Purchase your Blast Pass today via this link to unlock an unmissable summer of T20 cricket at Hove.
Remembering Arnold Long | 1940-2026
Sussex Cricket was saddened to hear of the death of Arnold Long, on New Years Day, at the age of 85.
Arnold “Ob” Long joined Sussex, after 15 years as the Surrey first choice wicketkeeper, in 1976 and succeeded Tony Greig as our captain in 1978. Tributes paid to Arnold this week, by playing colleagues including John Barclay, Roger Marshall, Paul Phillipson and Chris Waller, reflect the very high regard in which he was held by those who played with him.
He was much respected not only as a “fine man” and a very high quality wicketkeeper but also as a shrewd captain whose “tactical brilliance” ensured that Sussex emerged victorious in the 1978 Gillette Cup Final against the much vaunted Somerset team which included Ian Botham and Viv Richards.
After retiring from cricket in 1980, Long had a successful business career and returned to the Oval as a much respected Chair of the Cricket Committee.
The thoughts of all of us at Sussex Cricket are with Arnold’s family and with his friends across the game.
Winter Watch | Week 8
Well, it's been a while. Christmas is but a hazy memory now as the days get longer while the wait for county cricket feels all the more shorter. Meanwhile, in distant destinations somewhat warmer than our own country, cricket is still being played and there's updates to report on! Ashes, BBL, SA20; this article begins in Brisbane.
Tom Alsop
Featuring twice for Brisbane Heat having commenced the BBL campaign with an injury, Alsop wasn't quite able to get into his rhythm with his two stints at the crease culminating in 15 runs.
He'll be hoping for another opportunity as the race for qualification intensifies with Brisbane placed in fifth position, eying a spot in the latter stages of the competition with three fixtures remaining.
Jofra Archer
There can be few denying the irrepressible impact Archer had on this Ashes series: a shining light in a torrid and tumultuous opening three Tests for England.
There's not too much to catch up on, though. For as the minutes ticked toward the Fourth Test in Melbourne, Archer was out of the Ashes. His finest outing arrived in Adelaide, where he'd take six wickets in the match, featuring figures of 5/53 and a laudable knock of 51 with the bat.
Finishing with nine wickets and 102 runs in the series at an average of 27.11 and 25.50 with ball and bat respectively, it's been a pleasure to see Archer return to the Test side this winter with him recently named in England's T20 World Cup squad for the tournament in India and Sri Lanka in February and March.
Anna Buckle
It's just the one game to catch up on, too, for Buckle out in the warmer climates of New South Wales with UTS North Sydney as she enjoys a well-earned break having excelled in Australia this winter.
And it was yet another straightforward victory for UTS North Sydney to lead them into the festive pause, earning a 66-run win over Northern District. The Sussex seamer picked up two wickets here from her four-over spell, going for a mere 12 runs in what has become a bit of a trend for Buckle over the past couple of months.
James Coles
Yet to feature for Sunrisers Eastern Cape in this year's SA20, there is still time for Coles to make his mark on the tournament with plenty of games to come.
But his side have started proceedings in fine form as they sit third four games in, with their fifth fixture currently underway against Tymal Mills' Pretoria Capitals.
Daniel Hughes
The Sussex opening batter has enjoyed his time at the crease in the BBL for Sydney Sixers at the top of the order since our previous update, with quickfire knocks of 25, 60 and 30. It's helped them move up to fourth in the eight-team table with only a few group stage matches ahead.
It's good stuff from Hughes, and even more so when you learn that he has scored 10 runs more this tournament than his opening batting partner, Babar Azam...
Nathan McAndrew
With one win from Sydney Thunder's opening six BBL matches it was unlikely that McAndrew would be in possession of outstanding figures at this stage of the competition, but he has ultimately bowled well and taken key wickets at reasonably regular intervals.
His services with the bat have scarcely been required thus far, but his side will need to turn a corner swiftly if they are to stand any chance of qualification.
Tymal Mills
More miles in the tank for Mills as he headed down to South Africa for the start of the SA20, and he's played a pivotal part in the Pretoria Capitals bowling attack so far, claiming five wickets from his three matches at an average of 15.
His economy rate has been good, too, at 7.25 with Pretoria's previous match abandoned without a ball bowled. They're back in action at the time of this being published, with Mills in the XI once again.
The Big Primary School Survey
The Big Primary School Survey
Dan Field Named Sussex Cricket Society Player of the Year 2025
Dan Field Named Sussex Cricket Society Player of the Year 2025
Sussex Sharks Visually Impaired cricketer Dan Field has been unanimously voted the Sussex Cricket Society's Player of the Year for 2025. Presented with the award at the annual Christmas Lunch, by guest speaker former England fast bowler Angus Fraser MBE.
As captain of the Sussex Sharks Visually Impaired XI (VI), Dan has led his team to another dominant season in Blind Cricket England & Wales (BCEW) competitions. The Sharks claimed the National League Championship and the prestigious BCEW Primary Club Heindrich Swanepoel Memorial Cup, the longest-running Disability Cricket competition in the UK. The team fell just short of a historic treble when rain washed out T20 Finals Day, with the Sharks well-positioned in their semi-final.
Dan topped the Sharks' run-scoring charts, amassing 345 runs at an astonishing average of 172.5 and a strike rate of 143 runs per 100 balls. His unselfish approach shone in the season opener, where he declared on 99 not out to pursue an aggressive victory. His highlight came in the Cup semi-final against Lancashire, where his explosive 169 off just 94 balls propelled the Sharks to a dramatic two-wicket win off the final delivery.
This marks Dan’s third consecutive season averaging over 100. In the four years since the pandemic, the Sharks have secured three National League titles, two knockout Cups, and one T20 Cup under his influence.
Beyond the field, Field serves as an Ambassador for the Sussex Cricket Foundation, championing its vital community work across the county.
The award underscores the Sussex Cricket Society's embrace of all levels of the game, from county professionals to the inspirational figures in Disability Cricket. Dan’s achievement highlights the growing recognition of VI Cricket's elite standard within the broader Sussex family.
To find out more about the Sussex Cricket Society please visit their website.
Winter Watch | Week 7
Right, let's get straight to it. Yes, there is another (brief) England update to navigate, yet with the commencement with the Big Bash League in Australia there is now plenty more to write home about. Take it away, Tom...
Tom Alsop
Having missed Brisbane Heat's opening match of the Big Bash League with injury, the powerful batter was also an absentee in today's thrilling match with Perth Scorchers, in which Brisbane dramatically chased down Perth's total of 257 with the penultimate ball.
It is hoped that Alsop will be fit for their next match on December 22, where they'll face Sydney Thunder at 8.15GMT.
Jofra Archer
A rather lone shining light on this Ashes series for England with the potential for Australia to win the series before the fourth Test, Archer took five wickets in the opening innings at Adelaide and overnight scored a maiden Test fifty - finally out for 51.
Anna Buckle
A fabulous showing with the bat from Bankstown's Ava Dragovic proved the catalyst for a nine-wicket defeat for Anna Buckle's UTS North Sydney at the weekend
With the dearth of wickets suggests this wasn't to be Buckle's finest outing with the ball of the winter, though she did bowl economically in her four-over spell, going for 23 runs.
Oli Carter
A low-scoring thriller for Carter's Sturt last weekend that ended in a positive result, yet a difficult outing with the bat for the Sussex wicket-keeper over his two innings, making 9 and 6 respectively.
This, though, was actually more runs than his opening batting partner, Josh de Caires, mustered in the match, with a fine second innings stint at the crease from Brad Davis ensuring Sturt reached the finish line. Behind the stumps, Carter claimed two catches - both in the first innings.
Daniel Hughes
Swapping Eastern Suburbs for Sydney Sixers, Hughes is another Sussex representative in the Big Bash this year. Opening the batting in both games, it was a tricky start for the Aussie alongside Babar Azam, who has found similar difficulty with the bat.
Both have scored 13 runs this campaign, with their Sixers side still in search of a first win in the competition this year.
Nathan McAndrew
Our third and final Shark featuring in the BBL, McAndrew is clad in Sydney Thunder's green once again this year and earned a wicket in their opening match against Hobart Hurricanes.
Bowling 2 overs for 21 runs, he did pick up the valuable wicket of Matthew Wade just as the wicket-keeper batter was starting to accelerate. McAndrew's Thunder are next in action on Saturday, in the Sydney derby against Hughes' Sixes, at 8.15am GMT.
Ollie Robinson
A tidy two-wicket haul for Robinson in his most recent match with Sydney University in what was a quite blistering performance against UNSW.
A 50-over match, Sydney Uni needed fewer than 17 overs to chase down the target of 101, which UNSW took 42.1 overs to make. Robinson bowled beautifully in his 10 overs with the ball, earning five maidens and going for just 19 runs.
Jayden Seales
Another week, another Seales update from New Zealand. And it's their final Test of the series at Mount Maunganui as we report following Close on Day 2.
It's been a good series for Seales, and here...
And that'll do it for Week 7, and indeed 2025 as we pause for a short winter break ourselves. Winter Watch shall return on 5th January, where we'll provide a comprehensive update from around the globe over the festive period.
Sussex Quintet selected in 2026 DPL
Sussex Quintet Selected in Disability Premier League Draft
Sussex Cricket is delighted to announce that five Sussex players have been selected in the inaugural Disability Premier League Draft, held at the National Cricket Performance Centre in Loughborough last week.
Liam O’Brien, Alfie Pyle and Owen Piper were all drafted to the Tridents, while Jake Vosloo will represent the Hawks and Elliot Brown has been selected by the Black Cats.
The announcement comes after news earlier this week that Alfie Pyle, Jake Vosloo and Liam O’Brien have earned selection for the England Men’s Mixed Disability team, who will tour India in January next year.
The Disability Premier League is set to return next summer, marking an important milestone for disability cricket in England.
The competition will bring together the country’s leading disabled cricketers, providing a high-performance environment and increased opportunities for players to showcase their talent on a national stage.
Fixtures in the inaugural season will take place on 7 June, 5 July, 6 September and 17 September, with players representing their franchise teams across a series of competitive match days.
Sussex Cricket Foundation's Disability Cricket Manager, Tom Belcher, said: “We are incredibly proud of the outstanding achievements, hard work and dedication demonstrated by each of these talented individuals. Sussex Cricket Foundation’s Disability Pathway continues to maintain its recognition as a nationally leading disability pathway.
“Celebrating the success of these 5 players retained within this year’s DPL draft and 3 international players head on tour to India, representing England in the Mixed Disability IT20, five-game series”.
Everyone at Sussex Cricket congratulates Liam, Alfie, Owen, Jake and Elliot on their selections and wishes them the very best for the upcoming Disability Premier League season.
Save the date - Sussex Cricket will host the Mixed Disability Sharks 1st XI vs Hampshire at the 1st Central County Ground on Sunday 17th May, 2026, following our annual DIScoverABILITY Day on Friday 15th May 2026.
Winter Watch | Week 6
Hurtling towards Christmas at velocity now, another Friday arrives with another Winter Watch, too. What have we today, then? In this week's edition, we bring news from afar, as usual, with prominent performances with both bat and ball. Let's commence in Brisbane...
Tom Alsop
Returning to Brisbane Heat after debuting in the BBL last winter, Alsop's campaign will begin on 15 December at Melbourne Renegades.
You can keep up to date with Alsop's BBL campaign here.
Jofra Archer
At around this time last week we were singing the praises of England and Bazball after Joe Root had recorded his first century in Australia and Archer had added valuable runs to the first innings total with a stellar cameo.
Yet cricket is a cruel sport, particularly from an English persuasion. 24 hours later and Archer and England were staring down the barrel at a 2-0 deficit in the Ashes. Best to move swiftly on and look ahead to Adelaide...
Anna Buckle
For what seems to be the umpteenth time in this Winter Watch series, we're once again shining the light on a brilliant Buckle display with the ball in a comprehensive victory for UTS North Sydney.
Skittling St-George Sutherland all out for a mere 64, Buckle's side earned a 34-run win with the Sussex bowler taking three wickets from her four over spell for the loss of 16 runs. That'll help the average.
Oli Carter
It was a strong showing with the bat for Carter in a high-scoring One Day Cup clash against Port Adelaide last weekend.
A narrow defeat - Port Adelaide reaching the 278 target with 14 balls to spare - but Carter made a reputable 40 in what was his side's (Sturt) second highest score.
Tom Haines
A good, solid, effective stint captaining England Lions atop the batting order for Haines spawned notable scores of 77, 38 and 31 with the bat whilst also claiming figures of 2/51 with the ball in the penultimate match of the Tour.
A valuable outing for our top-order batter, who will return to Sussex full of confidence ahead of the forthcoming 2026 season.
Daniel Hughes
Following the mention of his winter high-score of 55 last time out, Hughes' success alas did not quite carry over into last weekend's showing having been a victim in a brutal opening Ryan Fletcher spell that claimed the opening four batters.
They sealed the win, though, by 52 runs courtesy of a stellar Max Glen century.
Dan Ibrahim
It's the big one! Dan Ibrahim versus George Thomas, Cornwall versus Central Hawkes Bay. And both Sussex players can walk away with their heads held high following an entertaining T20 match.
We'll start with Ibrahim, though, for this is his chapter. Excellent he was with the bat, ripping a raucous 89 runs from just 50 deliveries - an innings that featured six fours and seven sixes. Who took his wicket, you say? Well, you must read on for such information...
Nathan McAndrew
A third consecutive fixture for McAndrew's South Australia side against Tasmania, and this one was perhaps the pick of the bunch as the all-rounder took five wickets across the match - two in the first inning, three in the second.
More importantly, though, was the outcome: a 10-wicket victory that shifts South Australia up to third in the Sheffield Shield table.
Ollie Robinson
Despite the defeat, it was a fairly profitable performance with the white ball for Robinson last Friday, as the bowler earned excellent figures of 10-2-22-2 against Bankstown.
He's back in action tonight (11pm GMT), with his team facing UNSW in the Belvedere Cup.
Jayden Seales
There's always a Seales update, and it's often a positive one, too, even if his West Indies side aren't always getting the desired result.
But in the opening Test against New Zealand last week, his side were immaculate to earn a draw in the most unlikely circumstances. Seales claimed three wickets in the match, two more than he did in the second Test, which was won by New Zealand in the early hours of the morning.
1-0 it is, then, as they head into the third and final Test at Mount Maunganui, starting on the 17th December.
John Simpson
Coming in at 11th for the most runs scored in this year's Nepal Premier League with 172 in his eight matches with Kathmandu Gorkhas, his side's journey ended on Wednesday in the semi-final with Lumbini Lions.
He's kept wicket brilliantly and has ultimately enjoyed a successful stint in Nepal as he returns home in fine stead ahead of the forthcoming campaign with Sussex.
George Thomas
Well, you've waited this long to find out who dismissed Ibrahim in the Cornwall versus Central Hawkes Bay on the other side of the world and, indeed, it was Thomas! He took two wickets in the end during an efficient four over spell, and scored 20 runs in his side's innings with the bat as Ibrahim's side ran away with the victory.
Sussex Cricket releases Pathway data for 2025/26
Sussex Cricket has today announced its Academy and Emerging Player Programme intake for 2025/26, along with the supporting demographic data for the Talent Pathway.
Sussex Cricket Academy
Harrison Brayshaw, Zan Copleston, Arthur Hanson, Ollie Kirtley, Louie Lawrence, Ollie Mason, Ollie Offwood, Freddie Price, Alfie Smethurst, Ramsay Trainer.
Emerging Player Programme (EPP)
Ali Siddique, Archie Hall, George Bamford, Billy Hemmings, Angus Connolly, Charlie Eastman, Zac Hockley, Diyon De Silva, Ollie Hewitt.
Demographics of Academy & EPP vs Sussex Population
To benchmark the demographics data of the EPP and Academy, we have compared the numbers with the overall population data for the county of Sussex, taken from the 2021 Census.
| Sussex County % | Boys Academy & EPP % | |
| White | 89.05% | 84.22% |
| Mixed, Multiple Ethnic Groups, White: Other White | 10.95% | 15.78% |
State School vs Independent Data
Of the 19 intakes in the Academy and EPP, 31.57% of those attend state schools within Sussex, with
Oxfordshire Cricket Partnership
Three players selected are from the Oxfordshire Cricket partnership in the Academy for the 2025/26 season.
County Junior Squad Data - Boys
The following statistics relate to the players selected in the Boys’ Sussex Cricket Pathway for 2025/26 from U13’s to U16’s.
| Sussex County % | Boys Pathway % | |
| White | 89.05% | 67.2% |
| Mixed, Multiple Ethnic Groups, White: Other White | 10.95% | 32.8 |
State School vs Independent Data
Of the 64 boys currently in the Sussex Cricket Pathway, a total of 30 (46.87%) currently attend state schools, 34 (53.13%) attend independent schools.
Club info
30 Clubs have players selected across the u13-u16 pathway
SCF Boy’s early engagement programme u9-u12s and u13 & u15 Development District programme
The following statistics relate to the players selected in the Boys’ Sussex Cricket Pathway for 2025/26 from U9’s to U12’s.
| Sussex County % | Boys u9-u12 Pathway % | |
| White | 89.05% | 83.3% |
| Mixed, Multiple Ethnic Groups, White: Other White | 10.95% | 16.7% |
State School vs Independent Data
Of the 378 boys currently in the Sussex Cricket Foundation Development Pathway, a total of 260 (68.78%) currently attend state schools, 117 (30.95%) attend independent schools, and 1 player (0.26%) is home schooled.
Club info
77 Clubs have players selected across the u9-u12 and u13 & u15 Development District programme.
Girls Vipers Academy
Mollie Adams, Lottie Curling
Girls Emerging Player Programme (EPP)
Fleur Baker, Issy Beattie, Sophie Beck, Eleanor Clark, Emily Groves, Naomi Hamilton, Eliza Harris, Emily James, Georgiana Pedley, Charlotte Rumboll, Grace Selby, Maya Taylor
Demographics of Sussex Girl’s Pathway
| Sussex County % | Girls EPP % | |
| White | 89.05% | 91.66% |
| Mixed, Multiple Ethnic Groups, White: Other White | 10.95% | 8.33% |
State School vs Independent Data
Of the 12 intakes in the EPP, 33.33% of those attend state schools within Sussex, with
County Junior Squad Data – Girls’
The following statistics relate to the players selected in the Girls’ Sussex Cricket Pathway for 2025/26 from U13’s to U18’s.
| Sussex County % | Girls Pathway % | |
| White | 89.05% | 87.5% |
| Mixed, Multiple Ethnic Groups, White: Other White | 10.95% | 12.5% |
State School vs Independent Data
Of the 88 girls currently in the Sussex Cricket Pathway, a total of 42 (47.72%) currently attend state schools, 45 (51.13%) attend independent schools and 1 (1.13%) is homeschooled.
Club info
37 Clubs have players selected across the u13-u18 pathway
SCF Girls’ early engagement programme u10-u12s Programme
The following statistics relate to the players selected in the Girls’ Sussex Early Engagement Programme for 2025/26 from U10’s to U12’s.
| Sussex County % | Girls u10-u12 Early Engagement% | |
| White | 89.05% | 83.6% |
| Mixed, Multiple Ethnic Groups, White: Other White | 10.95% | 15.5% |
State School vs Independent Data
Of the 116 girls’ currently in the Sussex Early Engagement Programme, a total of 70 (60.34%) currently attend state schools, 46 (39.65%) attend independent schools
Club info
40 Clubs have players selected across the u10-u12 Early Engagement programme.
*All data accurate as of 12th December 2025
Sussex Launches 12 Days of Christmas Campaign
12 Days. 12 Surprises. Endless Festive Cheer.
Starting on Saturday 13th 2025, we’re celebrating the countdown to Christmas with 12 days of giveaways, gifts and exclusive offers — all thanks to our sponsors, partners and the Sussex Cricket community.
Each day brings something new:
- Special gifts from our sponsors and partners
- Opportunities to win match tickets and unforgettable experiences
- Exclusive discounts on merchandise
- Hospitality offers for the perfect matchday
- Plus many more festive surprises
Whether you’re looking for the ideal stocking filler, hoping to win big, or simply enjoying the season, this is your chance to get involved.
How to Get Involved
Keep an eye on your inbox and follow us on social media. Each morning, we’ll reveal a new festive offer or prize — simply click through to discover the day’s surprise.
Don’t Miss a Day of Christmas Magic
Make sure you’re following Sussex Cricket across social media and subscribed to our emails so you don’t miss your chance to win or claim limited-time offers.
Please click here to find out more and read the terms and conditions of the competition.
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