Sussex Cricket is delighted to announce the re-signing of India Test batter, Cheteshwar Pujara and Australian batter, Daniel Hughes as overseas signings for the 2024 season.

Fan favourite Cheteshwar Pujara will return to The 1st Central County Ground for a third season running and will be available for the first seven County Championship games.

Thereafter, Daniel Hughes will be available from the start of the T20 Vitality Blast until the end of the season. He will play in the County Championship, as well as the Blast.

However, Sussex Head Coach, Paul Farbrace has opted not to use overseas players in this year’s Metro Bank One Day Cup.

The two batters will complement the two overseas bowlers, Jayden Seales and Nathan McAndrew who have also signed for the Club for the 2024 campaign.

Pujara returns

The man that needs no introduction at Hove is back once again. In his 18 County Championship appearances for Sussex, Pujara has accumulated an astonishing 1863 runs at average of 64.24, including eight centuries and three half-centuries.

His highest score for Sussex came against Derbyshire in 2022 when he made 231, when he shared a stand of 351 with Tom Haines, who also chalked up a double century.

In 2023, his highest score of 151 came against Gloucestershire, a knock that included 20 fours and two sixes.

Speaking on his delight at returning to Sussex, Pujara said: "I have enjoyed my time at Hove the last couple of seasons and couldn’t be more delighted to be back again with the Sussex family.

"I am looking forward to joining the team and contributing to its success."

On bringing Puj back again, Sussex Head Coach, Paul Farbrace, said: “I am delighted that Cheteshwar is returning to Hove again for the first two months of the season.

“He is not just a high-quality player but is also a high-quality person. His experience and calmness in matches is a fantastic asset for our team.”

Hughes brings runs at the top of the order

An aggressive top-order batsman, Daniel Hughes forced his way into his current New South Wales Blues side on sheer weight of runs.

In first-class cricket, Hughes averages 36.90 with a best knock of 178. In his 137 innings, Hughes has gone on to 26 half-centuries and eight centuries.

Hughes claimed his second Steve Waugh Medal in 2019-20 after receiving his first in 2017-18. The Blues and Sydney Sixers opener also claimed the NSW Blues Marsh One-Day Cup Player of the Season award.

In T20 cricket Hughes has accumulated 2204 runs in 93 innings at a strike rate of 120.89 and has been part of the Sydney Sixers team that won back-to-back Big Bash League titles in 2020 and 2021.

Speaking on joining fellow Australian, Nathan McAndrew at Sussex, Hughes said: “Playing county cricket has been a long-held ambition for me. I am delighted to get that opportunity at Sussex.

“I respect the strong traditions of the Club. The plans that exist for team are exciting and I look forward to getting to Hove and helping Sussex with success along the way”.

Commenting on the acquisition of Hughes, Paul Farbrace said: “We are all very pleased to welcome Dan to Hove, he is a top-class player and has vast amounts of experience.

“We are all very much looking forward to working him and enjoying how he helps our team on and off the field.” 

2024 Memberships

Join Good Old Sussex by the Sea to ensure your seat at all County Championship and Metro Bank One Day Cup games, plus, a whole range of additional benefits, such as guest passes and discounts on food and drink in Sussex Cricket bars (Griegs and Pavilion). 

Once you've purchased your membership, all that is left to do is keep an eye out for the 2024 fixtures and plan your summer full of action-packed cricket at The 1st Central County Ground. 

Membership packs will be sent out to all members prior to the 2024 season getting underway.

To find out more, visit: https://sussexcricket.co.uk/2024-membership

2024 Blast Pass

T20 blast passes for next summer are selling quickly, with over 70% already sold!

It may be 5 months until the blast gets underway but why not secure your seat for all 7 home vitality blast group games at an unbeatable price!

To find out more, visit: https://sussexcricket.co.uk/t20-blast-pass

Last week, Sussex stars Tom Alsop, Fynn Hudson-Prentice and Ari Karvelas paid a special visit to local children’s hospice, Chestnut Tree House, where they played football, games and participated in arts & crafts with children and the amazing staff who provide specialist care at the facility in West Sussex.

The Chestnut Tree House is a children’s charity that provides hospice care services and community support for children and young people with life-limiting and life-threatening conditions across Sussex and South East Hampshire.

As well as care provided at the House, nurses visit families at home, taking children out to explore their local community, or simply giving tired families and carers the chance to take a well-earned break. 

Alsop, Hudson-Prentice and Karvelas spent the morning meeting children, their families and their carers and were given a special tour of the facilities, whilst also listening to some of the stories of those who receive care.

Speaking on the visit, Fynn Hudson-Prentice said: “It was good to get to spend our morning at Chestnut Tree House and see the incredible facility they have, as well as spending some time with a few of the children and meeting some of the staff.

“Elaine showed us around and we got a real feel for the caring, warm and friendly atmosphere at the hospice.”

On behalf of the Sussex Cricket Foundation, the players also presented some of the children who are fans of the Club with goody bags full of toys and presents.

Elaine Ford, Activities Coordinator from the Chestnut Tree House added: “The guys were phenomenal with the children and young people, playing sports, chatting with families and putting smiles on everyone’s faces. They are welcome back any time.”

To find out more about the Chestnut Tree House, please visit https://www.chestnut-tree-house.org.uk/

To find out about the Sussex Cricket Foundation, visit https://sussexcricket.co.uk/sussex-cricket-foundation

Ollie Robinson has been selected for the England Men's Test squad for the tour of India starting in January.

Ollie is part of the 16-player squad for the five match series that begins on 25th January in Hyderabad, before concluding in Dharamsala between 7-11 March.

England Men’s squad for tour of India:

Ben Stokes (Durham – captain)
Rehan Ahmed (Leicestershire)
James Anderson (Lancashire)
Gus Atkinson (Surrey)
Jonny Bairstow (Yorkshire)
Shoaib Bashir (Somerset)
Harry Brook (Yorkshire)
Zak Crawley (Kent)
Ben Duckett (Nottinghamshire)
Ben Foakes (Surrey)
Tom Hartley (Lancashire)
Jack Leach (Somerset)
Ollie Pope (Surrey)
Ollie Robinson (Sussex)
Joe Root (Yorkshire)
Mark Wood (Durham)

England Men's Test Schedule

1st Test: India v England, 25-29 January, Hyderabad
2nd Test: India v England, 2-6 February, Vizag
3rd Test: India v England, 15-19 February, Rajkot
4th Test: India v England, 23-27 February, Ranchi
5th Test: India v England, 7-11 March, Dharamsala

Congratulations and good luck, Ollie! #GOSBTS

Sussex Cricket Foundation Patrons came together on Monday for an evening of Christmas Carols & Canapes

Last week Sussex Cricket Foundation Patrons were treated to a performance from singers led by Foundation Trustee, Katy Cooper, who performed traditional Christmas carols at The 1st Central County Ground.

Patrons also heard from Community Cricket Director, Gary Wallis-Tayler, about what the Foundation has achieved over the past 12 months, as well as plans for 2024.

Gary Wallis-Tayler thanked all of the Foundation Patrons for their continued support and generosity, without it we couldn’t do what we do across the County.

Libby Ager, Trustee of the Sussex Cricket Foundation: “What a fantastic night celebrating SCF with festive fun and 5 fabulous professional singers leading us all in carols old and new. 

"The Christmas spirit was very much alive in the Long Room on Monday night. It was wonderful to get together with SCF friends before Christmas”.

Chris Snell, Patron of the Sussex Cricket Foundation: “What a lovely evening it was we I couldn’t have enjoyed it more. The singing was superb and the company excellent.

"Thank you so much for all your hard work and organisation. We really appreciate all the amazing work of the Foundation.”

If you are interested in learning more about the Foundation or becoming a Patron please visit our website https://sussexcricket.co.uk/sussex-cricket-foundation or contact foundation@sussexcricket.co.uk

Order your Sussex leisurewear in time for Christmas

With Christmas fast approaching now is the time to grab yourself or a loved one the gift of items from our brand new Nike Express range.

In order to ensure your purchases are received in time for Christmas and wrapped up under the tree, orders must be placed by Monday 18th December with Standard Tracked Delivery, or by Wednesday 20th December with DPD Premium delivery. 

Haven't seen the range yet? Check out all of the new items available on our brand new online shop.

In this week’s Winter Watch we bring you runs for Harrison Ward and wickets for Bertie Foreman in Australia, we celebrate 150 international caps for Danni Wyatt, plus we recap another trophy win for Georgia Adams.

Harrison Ward makes impact in Sydney

Harrison Ward has been playing cricket down under for UTS North Sydney and hasn’t wasted time making an impact.

In his second game for UTS, he made 80 from just 78 balls to set Gordon CC a target of 346 for victory.

Ward also picked up a wicket in a brief 3 over spell, as well as a run out to help UTS to a 17-run victory.

Track Harrison’s results here.

Bertie Foreman continues to pick up wickets

Bertie Foreman was once again among the wickets for Manly Warringah in Australia, who actually play in the same league as Harrison Ward’s UTS North Sydney.

Bertie picked up 2-37 from his 22.4 overs as his side cruised to a 145-run victory over Fairfield-Liverpool.

Track Bertie’s results here.

Danni Wyatt reaches incredible milestone

Danni Wyatt celebrated the incredible achievement of reaching 150 caps for England Women in style, as she smashed 75 from 47 balls in the first IT20 against India Women.

It was a convincing performance by England Women, with Sussex Women’s Freya Kemp picking up a wicket to help England to a 38-run victory.

The next IT20 in the series takes place tomorrow at 1:30pm.

Five trophies in 2023 for Adams

Finally, a HUGE congratulations to Georgia Adams for picking up her fifth domestic trophy in 2023. Adam’s Adelaide Strikers beat Brisbane Heat to make it back-to-back wins in the Women’s Big Bash League.

It caps off an outstanding season for Georgia Adams, who picked up trophies with Sussex Women, Southern Vipers, Southern Brave and now Adelaide Strikers.

Congratulations, Georgia! #GOSBTS

Sussex Cricket is delighted to announce an extension of the partnership between the Club, Brighton Aldridge Community Academy (BACA) and the Aldridge Foundation.

The partnership extension will see the continuation of BACA as Sussex Cricket’s state school of choice for cricket until at least August 2025. This six-year partnership enables and celebrates high class cricket coaching and skills development in a state school environment and is a proven replicable model for driving wider representation within the profession.

With a best-in-class indoor cricket centre and pitch, BACA’s cricket academy pathways provide students with the opportunity to play in the Junior Cricket Pathway from the ages of 11-16 and then in the Sixth Form Cricket Academy from 16-19, with coaching and strategic programme advice provided by Sussex Cricket.

Both programmes are thriving and aim to give children from state school backgrounds a pathway into professional cricket. In September 2023, the largest cohort ever was welcomed to BACA: 30 Junior and 23 sixth form students.

The BACA Sussex Cricket partnership has demonstrable success and currently there are 21 students who have progressed on to the next steps of their professional cricket journeys.

17 male players have been part of Sussex Cricket’s Player Pathway Programme in the last two years, with an additional two players in the Sussex Cricket’s Emerging Players and one in the Senior Academy programmes.

There are four female players, that are also a part of the Sussex Girl’s pathway and one of these has earned a place on the Southern Vipers Emerging Players Programme this winter.

The Cricket Academy at BACA is headed up by Sussex Women Head Coach Alexia Walker, with expert coaching also provided by former Sussex, Surrey, and Pakistan international, Yasir Arafat and Sussex Cricket Pathway Manager, Phil Hudson. Sussex Cricket are also committed to ensuring the high quality of the playing facilities at BACA, which is overseen by Sussex Cricket Grounds Manager, Ben Gibson and run throughout the year by Sussex Grounds person, Jack Harrington.

Principal of BACA, Jack Davies said: “BACA are immensely proud of the cricket provision we continue to deliver to a very high standard around our academic programmes. We are an ambitious school inside and outside the classroom and the cricket programme epitomises this culture.

"Working with Sussex Cricket allows for so many more opportunities for our students to be exposed to elite level sport and helps them grow as cricketers and people.”

Keith Greenfield, Director of Pathways and Cricket Partnerships for Sussex Cricket, said: “The renewed partnership agreement with our state school of choice gives us a great opportunity to continue to grow the quality and quantity of our provision available, in what are exceptional facilities within the state sector.

“In line with the recent ICEC report findings, making high quality provision to people from all backgrounds is something we know we can achieve with everyone at BACA.”

The school itself has received national recognition and, for the fifth consecutive  year, was listed again this year in The Cricketer’s Top 100 Cricket Schools in the country. BACA is one of only 12 state funded schools recognised in this prestigious list, and of those it is one of only 8 non selective schools.

The relationship between Sussex Cricket and BACA also enables regular opportunities for the students to visit The 1st Central County Ground to watch games or training and meet key individuals at Sussex Cricket.

The partners are also exploring ways to create work-experience, internships and apprenticeship opportunities at Sussex Cricket to open students’ eyes to opportunities and design meaningful career pathways in the sports industry. 

Sir Rod Aldridge OBE, Founder and Chairman of the Aldridge Foundation, added: “I believe in the power of sport, and particularly cricket, in helping young people to develop key life skills which will support their progress not only in sport, but also their careers and life.

“I am delighted that the Aldridge Foundation was the leading partner in the establishment of this valuable cricket facility and programme and remains a key partner, alongside BACA and Sussex Cricket, in supporting its continued development.

“We have ambitious plans to build on the success of the Aldridge Cricket Academy and create opportunities and pathways for more state school pupils to play the game, progress through further or higher education and into the successful, long-term careers they choose.”

To find out more about the opportunities at BACA visit their website - https://www.baca-uk.org.uk/Cricket/ or contact Alexia Walker, BACA Director of Cricket on alexiawalker@baca-uk.co.uk

Former wicketkeeper Patterson forever grateful for Professional Cricketers’ Trust support

• Former Ireland international’s life-changing operation paid for by Trust and daughter’s epic fundraising
• Ex-keeper talks to Trust in exclusive interview about living with Hereditary Spastic Paraplegia
• Andrew Patterson aiming to complete ‘Patto’s May 5K’ raising funds for Trust

Former Ireland international Andrew Patterson is teaching himself to walk again following life-changing surgery in America and has set himself an inspiring target for May 2024.

The former Surrey and Sussex man is aiming to complete a five-kilometre walk at Victoria Park in May 2024, a year after his ground-breaking operation to help raise funds for the Professional Cricketers’ Trust.

Patterson, who was diagnosed with Hereditary Spastic Paraplegia in 2013, was set to spend the rest of his life in a wheelchair before he was notified of the world-leading operation to vastly improve mobility and his quality of life.

Emerging through the ranks at Surrey, Patterson made 23 appearances for their second team, however Alec Stewart was the preferred choice with the gloves as Patterson moved to Sussex.

The 48-year-old would go on to play First-Class and List A cricket for the south coast county but the development of a young Matt Prior at Sussex meant opportunities were limited.

The ex-keeper was extremely proud to represent his country 61 times between 1996 and 2002, with his final appearance coming against West Indies A.

‘Patto’s May 5K’ will see Patterson joined on the walk on 5 May 2024 by friends and family, including eldest daughter Ella who helped raise funds for her dad’s operation by running two half-marathons.  

In an exclusive interview with the Professional Cricketers’ Trust, Patterson, with the help of daughter Ella, bravely tells his story from diagnosis to operation and the long road of learning how to walk again.

The Professional Cricketers’ Trust provides vital support to past and present cricketers in England and Wales and their immediate families when in desperate need. The charity’s work is all encompassing, whether it be for unforeseen physical or mental needs.

Living with Hereditary Spastic Paraplegia, Patterson is maintaining an intense rehab programme and trains relentlessly for his 5K challenge in May. Thanks to the operation, the dad of three now has a lifetime goal he didn’t think would be possible, walking his daughters down the aisle on their wedding days.

Patterson’s story started in 2011, whilst playing for the MCC, he fell when running between the wickets, resulting in a broken thumb. A seemingly small injury, little did he know at the time, this incident would lead to a serious diagnosis, less than two years later.

Recounting the day he fell and broke his thumb, Patterson recalls playing with his brother, “I remember my brother telling me my balance looked really bad when trying to run between the wickets. Following the fall, I had a few years of going back and forth from hospital and then a consultant said he thought he knew the problem.

“It’s called Hereditary Spastic Paraplegia which is a neurological condition where signals from your brain don’t reach their target and for me it started to affect moving my legs,” said Andrew.

In 2015, Andy realised that his condition was worsening whilst playing at home with his three children Ella, Brooke and Drew.

“I remember trying to jump on the trampoline with my kids and I was really struggling, I was saying in my head ‘just bounce’ but I couldn’t do it. That’s when I thought ‘oh crap’ it's really starting to go downhill.”

With support from the Trust and the unbelievable fundraising effort from eldest daughter Ella, who ran two half-marathons, the £70,000 needed for the operation was achieved. The timing was crucial as Patterson’s condition was worsening the window of opportunity for having the operation was closing in.

“I asked him were there any complications to the operation and he said yes, it could paralyse him. But he said he would rather take that chance because he was going to end up there anyway than never take that opportunity. I thought that was very brave of him to do,” said Ella.

On the 26th May 2023, Andy flew to America to undergo a Selective Dorsal Rhizotomy operation to provide him with a chance he may not be wheelchair bound for the rest of his life and the hope for the best possible quality of life.  

“The way I was progressing, I was going to be in a wheelchair anyway, with the operation I've got a chance that I might not be.

“If I'd have left it too much longer I wouldn’t have been able to get the operation, so at that stage we were just trying to think of how to get the money.

“What Ella did was legendary and what the Trust did to help financially was amazing, I was honestly blown away in terms of the amount that they helped,” said Andrew.

Following the surgery, Andy has been learning how to walk again and is on the long road to recovery.

“The first day after the operation, getting out of bed I was thought oh my god why did I do this. I knew I had to get through the pain to get to where I need to be,” recalled Andrew.

“Dad is the oldest person that has ever had this surgery done but they said he’s the most physically healthy and determined they’ve seen, the physios have been so impressed. I'm very proud, he’s very inspirational,” said Ella.

“My goal is to walk that 5K with Ella and hopefully lots of friends and family will want to join in too. I wouldn’t have been able to have the operation without the help of Ella and the Trust so I’m extremely grateful,” concluded Andrew.

You can donate to Andy’s Just Giving link by clicking here.

Last week Sussex Cricket and the Sussex Cricket Foundation said farewell to Shaun’s Neon Car Wash, which helped to raise as astonishing £750,000 for Martlets Hospice.

Designed by local artist Chloe Batchelor, our very own Shaun the Sheep brought joy and colour to the streets of Brighton & Hove, where he was part of the Shaun by the Sea Art Trail.

Located at the main entrance of The 1st Central County Ground, Shaun was visited by thousands of locals and cricket fans taking part in the trail.

In September, Shaun was also visited by local superstar DJ and Martlets ambassador Fatboy Slim, when he embarked on a half-marathon which saw him pay a visit to every Shaun the Sheep across Brighton & Hove.

On the weekend, over 300 people gathered for the final auction, which saw bidders compete to own their own piece of Brighton history and help to keep Martlets caring.

We are delighted to confirm that Shaun’s Neon Car Wash was auctioned off for £4200.

Gary Wallis-Tayler, Community Cricket Director for the Sussex Cricket Foundation said: “It was great to be a part of the Shaun the Sheep Art Trail, supporting the Martlets Hospice helping them to raise significant funds to support the terminally ill.

“The Sussex Cricket Foundation is proud to have sponsored our very own Shaun the Sheep and look forward to working together again with Martlets in the future.”

As well as helping to raise money for Martlets Hospice, the trail also raised awareness and funds for the Sussex Cricket Foundation to continue to grow the game of cricket across Sussex.

Sussex Cricket and the Sussex Cricket Foundation would like to say a massive thank you to everybody who took part in the trail and visited our very own Shaun the Sheep at The 1st Central County Ground.

To find out more about Martlets please visit https://www.martlets.org.uk/

Or, to find out more about the Sussex Cricket Foundation, visit https://sussexcricket.co.uk/sussex-cricket-foundation 

Sussex duo Danni Wyatt and Freya Kemp have today been awarded Central Contracts for the England Women's team for 2023/24. 

Danni and Freya have both been key figures in the England Women's team in recent years, helping to propel the England side to becoming one of the best teams in the world. 

The ECB today announced that 18 Central Contracts have been awarded, with each running until 31st October 2024. 

Full ECB Press Release

The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) has announced the England Women Central Contracts for 2023/24. 

Eighteen contracts, which run for one year, have been awarded with Maia Bouchier and Danielle Gibson given their first England Women Central Contract. 

Bowlers Mahika Gaur and Lauren Filer and wicketkeeper-batter Bess Heath have all been awarded development contracts after breaking into the senior set-up in 2023. These development contracts are awarded to those players the England Women management team feel will play a pivotal role for the team in the future and enable the ECB to support them further over the next 12 months.

All contracts run until 31 October 2024 and provide significant structural improvements to meet player needs. Working closely with the England Women’s Player Partnership and the PCA, remuneration advancements include enhanced family provision entitlement, a bonus structure that rewards success against higher ranked opposition, increases to the value of retainers and the equalisation of match fees with England men.

England Women centrally contracted list:

Tammy Beaumont (The Blaze)
Lauren Bell (Southern Vipers)
Maia Bouchier (Southern Vipers)
Alice Capsey (South East Stars)
Kate Cross (Thunder)
Charlie Dean (Southern Vipers)
Sophia Dunkley (South East Stars)
Sophie Ecclestone (Thunder)
Tash Farrant (South East Stars)
Danielle Gibson (Western Storm)
Sarah Glenn (The Blaze)
Amy Jones (Central Sparks)
Freya Kemp (Southern Vipers/Sussex)
Heather Knight (Western Storm)
Emma Lamb (Thunder)
Nat Sciver-Brunt (The Blaze)
Issy Wong (Central Sparks)
Danni Wyatt (Southern Vipers/Sussex)

Congratulations, Danni & Freya!