Glamorgan Women vs Sussex Sharks Women: Match Preview

Sussex Sharks Women get their 2025 season up and running with a trip to Sophia Gardens on Saturday to kick-start their Metro Bank One Day Cup campaign against Glamorgan. 

In the first round of fixtures since the restructure of women's cricket, Head Coach Alexia Walker's new-look side commence 2025 with a venture to Wales to start their Metro Bank One Day Cup Women League 2 campaign.

Squad

Mollie Adams (wk), Anna Buckle, Kali-Ann Docherty, Daisy Gibb, Chiara Green (c), Beth Harvey, Tia Joseph, Rachel King, Anna Lewis, Eve O'Neill, Talitha Stanley, Lucy Western, Jazz Westley, Phoebe Wilkinson

Pre-Match Thoughts

Alexia Walker: “It’s been really exciting over the last couple of weeks, we’ve been able to add a bit more depth to the squad through the loan signings. Hopefully it doesn’t rain!”

Chiara Green on Glamorgan: "We know a few of the girls at Glamorgan which is helpful, I think throughout the team we’ll have a good idea of how to approach the game. We just can’t wait to get going."

Ticket Information 

Entry to this match is free of charge, but Glamorgan would like for each attendee to be allocated a ticket. 

They will be made available on their ticket app - Sophia Gardens Ticketing - so please download it from Apple App Store or Google Play Store.

The seating for this fixture is unreserved, therefore you may choose where you sit on arrival.

The link to book tickets can be found here.

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.

The action gets underway tomorrow at 10.30am. 

Next Match

Alexia Walker's side are next back in action a week on Saturday, on 26 April as Yorkshire Women travel down to Hove.

If you're a Sussex Member, this game is included in your membership! If you're looking to purchase tickets, however, then the link can be found here. Tickets start from £5.

Sussex Cricket announces Trading Post Coffee Roasters as official coffee supplier partner to The 1st Central County Ground 

Sussex Cricket is excited to welcome Trading Post Coffee Roasters as the official coffee supplier partner to The 1st Central County Ground, with service beginning this season.

The Brighton-based coffee roasters, known for their ethically sourced, small-batch blends, will be supplying locally roasted coffee to be served on site for supporters, guests and visitors alike. 

Fans can look forward to enjoying ‘The Sharks Blend’ – a nod to the home team, as well as The ‘Boundary Blend’ filter coffee – exclusively roasted for Sussex Cricket by Trading Post, which will be served across the site, alongside Trading Post’s Rainforest Alliance certified Mountain Water Decaf.

 From matchdays to meetings, this new collaboration will enhance the coffee offering across all areas of the ground, with barista-quality coffee available from dedicated outlets and hospitality spaces.

Sussex Cricket Director of Growth, Sam Graham said: “Everyone at Sussex Cricket is delighted to partner with another outstanding local brand. Trading Post Coffee represents the very best our county has to offer, and we're proud to now serve their exceptional coffee to our members, staff, and players. 

"Both organisations share a commitment to excellence, and I’m confident this marks the beginning of a long-lasting and meaningful partnership.

“Finally, don’t forget to keep an eye out at The 1st Central County Ground for our bespoke Sussex Cricket x Trading Post blends!”

Ryan Deol, Head of Wholesale at Trading Post Coffee Roasters, commented: "We’re incredibly proud to be partnering with such a historic institution in the heart of Sussex. Sussex Cricket has a deep connection with fans across the counties, and that aligns so naturally with our own presence. Our coffee houses are spread across both East & West Sussex, serving the same communities. 

"This partnership feels like a natural fit, and we’re excited to be brewing something truly special together."

Trading Post Coffee has already begun serving at Hove, with fans, Members and staff already enjoying thousands of cups of coffee during the Club’s first win of the season against Somerset last weekend. 

Sussex vs Surrey: Match Preview

What a start to the season it has been! After last week's incredible win against Somerset, Paul Fabrace's team welcome the champions Surrey to The 1st Central County Ground tomorrow. Paul has named a 13-player squad for the match.

Squad

Alsop, Carson, Carter, Clark, Coles, Haines, Hudson-Prentice, Hughes, Karvelas, Lamb, Robinson, Seales, Simpson* (wk)

Team News

Ollie Robinson returns to the squad having missed last week's match with a minor foot injury. Sean Hunt will undergo a scan to assess the extent of a muscle injury he suffered in last week's win against Somerset. 

Farby's Thoughts on Last Week's Win

"It's a good win against a strong Somerset side, and for three and a half days we were very good, it will do our confidence good to beat a team consistently challenging over the last few years. 

"I thought up until lunchtime today we played really good cricket and put ourselves in a great position but this afternoon it was no surprise that we dropped catches because our enthusiasm and body language dropped off. 

"We can't afford to have sessions like that. We were so far ahead in the game it didn't matter too much, but it's a good lesson for us - we've made a good start but we've got a lot of learning to do."

Ticket Information 

Tickets are available to purchase online now for the first three days of the match.

Buying your tickets online is the quickest and easiest way to secure your seat, save a bit of extra cash AND protect yourself if it rains.

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.

The action gets underway tomorrow at 11am. 

Sussex wore down Somerset’s spirited resistance to claim their first win since promotion back to Division One in the Rothesay County Championship.

Needing six wickets on the final day at the 1st Central County Ground, they eventually bowled Somerset out for 334 to win by 260 runs – their first top-flight victory for a decade. 

It was a commendable final-day effort by an attack depleted by the absence of left-armer Sean Hunt, who took nine for 76 in the match but was unable to bowl on the final day because of an injury to his left arm. In addition, off-spinner Jack Carson was troubled by a split spinning finger which needed patching up.

In their absence, West Indies’ quick Jayden Seales stepped up. The 23-year-old Trinidadian, who is in his second season at Hove, took two wickets during an outstanding nine-over spell at the start of the day before returning with the new ball to end an eighth-wicket stand of 82 between Lewis Gregory and Migael Pretorious. 

Tom Abell led Somerset’s resistance with 96 and there was a half-century for skipper Lewis Gregory but they were always up against it after being dismissed for 201 in their first innings.

Seales made the breakthrough in his second over of the day with a ball which lifted sharply at James Rew (20), who was caught off the glove in the gully.

Seales could have picked up three or four wickets as he produced some high-quality fast bowling down the slope and generated good pace, bounce and movement. 

Abell was put down low to his left at second slip by Tom Clark on 65 as Seales beat the bat regularly. He should have been celebrating again when Kasey Aldridge, who was on 13, carved loosely to backward point but Fynn Hudson-Prentice shelled a straightforward chance despite getting two hands on the ball. 

Aldridge’s reprieve didn’t last long, however. He added a single before falling in Seales’ next over, tempted into driving at a ball which moved just enough to find a thin edge to wicketkeeper John Simpson. 

Seales finished with two for 24 from his eight-over burst and once he was out of the attack Somerset found the going less taxing, although Sussex continued to drop catches. Abell, 60 overnight, was badly put down at square leg by substitute fielder Harrison Ward on 85 but again it didn’t prove too costly. Just before lunch Danny Lamb surprised Abell with some extra bounce and Tom Alsop held on superbly at slip. Abell’s fine 96 from 219 balls included 15 fours.

Pretorious was prepared to go for his shots and reached a 59-ball half-century which included a six off Carson and eight fours. He looked comfortable against the off-spinner and James Coles’ slow left-arm but Seales, 23, proved a totally different proposition and in his second over with the new ball he plucked out Pretorious’s leg stump with a searing yorker. 

The end was nigh for Somerset when Josh Davey lobbed up an easy catch to mid-off as he tried to pull Clark through the leg side, but Gregory and Jack Leach stood firm for another13 overs, although Leach was badly dropped at slip by Tom Haines on 18 off Coles and Fynn Hudson-Prentice could only get fingertips onto Gregory’s firmly-struck on drive in his follow through. 

But Hudson-Prentice, whose four wickets in Somerset’s first innings did so much to set up victory, finished things off when Gregory followed an outswinger and Coles took the catch at third slip.

Sussex vs Somerset Day Three Report

Sean Hunt, who is only playing for Sussex in the absence of the injured Ollie Robinson, is inspiring his side to what could their first victory in Division One of the county championship since 2015.

In the most memorable match of his career, Hunt followed a sprightly innings of 33 with a career-best five for 48.  Then, after Sussex set Somerset a far-fetched 595 for victory, Hunt took all the wickets as Somerset closed on 125 for four. 

Left-arm seamer Hunt broke through in his first over when Sean Dickson pushed forward and Tom Haines took the edge at fourth slip. Somerset lost their other opener in Hunt’s fourth over when Archie Vaughan top-edged his hook shot and Jack Carson took the catch at backward square-leg; 17 for two.

Tom Lammonby and Tom Abell put on an untroubled 63 but when Hunt returned for the 20th over he caught and bowled Lammonby from a leading edge with his first delivery and five balls later removed Tom Banton’s off-stump with a beauty that moved in. The only disappointment for Hunt was when he dropped a return catch offered by James Rew when he had scored just one. It would have been Hunt’s tenth wicket in the match. He will be difficult to drop for the Easter match at home to Surrey.

The timing of the Sussex declaration was problematic, given the flatness of the pitch and the proven talent of a number of Somerset batsmen. Ultimately John Simpson, the Sussex captain, decided to effectively bat Somerset out of the game, setting them a far-fetched target from a minimum of 130 overs, at a rate of 4.57 runs an over.  

Sussex had started the third day on 246 for one, a lead of 339, with Haines 117 not out and Tom Clark unbeaten on 29. They scored 88 in the 32 overs bowled before lunch, probably marginally less than they had intended. But the loss of Clark, and then Haines and Alsop in successive overs, put a brake on their ambition. And Jack Leach, who took four wickets, also bowled tightly.

Clarke was out for 44 off 82 deliveries, edging Josh Davey to wicketkeeper Rew.  Haines fell at 298, lbw to Vaughan as he attempted to work the ball to leg. It was Vaughan’s first wicket away from Taunton. Haines’s first century in Division One of the county championship was a big one – 141 from 264 deliveries, with 15 fours and two sixes. And Somerset broke through again in the following over when Alsop, pushing forward to Leach, was caught behind. 

After lunch Sussex changed gear, but  moved up only one. James Coles was caught behind, top-edging as he went on the attack for a 69-ball 39, and Fynn Hudson-Prentice, spent 37 balls making 18. Only when Danny Lamb was out for a fourth ball duck – making it a pair for him – did Sussex really put their foot to the floor, with Simpson and Carson adding 84 in 91 overs. Carson hit a 26-ball 35, pulling Leach for two sixes and driving him for another.

But once again it was the astonishing Simpson who caught the eye, with an unbeaten 110 from 117 deliveries, with five sixes and five fours, reaching three figures with a straight maximum against Kasey Aldridge. He started the season with an unbeaten 181 against Warwickshire last week.

Last season Simpson topped the Sussex batting averages with 1,197 runs, with five centuries.  H e has scored seven hundreds in 16 matches for Sussex, for whom he averages 86.  He took 200 games for Middlesex to score his other ten first-class centuries, averaging 33 for the county. But Hunt was the only player Sussex supporters were talking about at the close.

Sussex vs Somerset Day Two Report

An opening partnership of 184 between Tom Haines and Daniel Hughes placed Sussex in a commanding position at the end of the second day of their county championship match against Somerset.

By the time Jack Leach finally broke the first wicket stand, in the 50th over, the Sussex lead was 277.  And by the close they had extended their advantage to 339 thanks to a 13th first-class century from Haines, his first in the top division. Sussex will be looking for a lead in the region of 500 runs on the third day.  It will take a big total to bat Somerset out of the game. 

Somerset will remember how, last June, they chased down 410 in the fourth innings to beat Warwickshire by five wickets with four overs to spare. They will know how the pitches at Hove can flatten out in the course of a match.  Sussex, for their part, are probably still haunted by the memory of Louis Kimber’s astonishing 243 here last season, which almost pulled off a far-fetched victory for Leicestershire, who were set 464 in the fourth innings and lost by just 18 runs. 

 A century looked there for the taking for the Australian left-hander Hughes. But on 91, attempting to cut a wide delivery through backward-point, he was caught behind. He had faced 151 balls and hit 16 fours.

Haines, though, would not be denied. He moved to 99 by hitting Archie Vaughan for a straight six and then hit Leach back over his head to reach three figures. He had faced 182 balls and hit 12 fours and two sixes. And at stumps he was still unbeaten on 117.

The morning session had three distinct phases. Sussex took two quick wickets, to maintain their dominance of the previous evening. James Rew then led a considerable Somerset counter attack before the last three wickets fell for just 12 runs runs.

Somerset resumed on 62 for five, still 232 runs behind, and their chances of mounting a meaningful recovery were seriously compromised when they slid to 79 for seven. In the third over of the day Sean Hunt found the inside edge of Tom Lammonby bat and wicketkeeper John Simpson took a sharp catch moving sharply to his left. The left-hander had not added to his overnight score of 24. Two overs later the same combination accounted for Kasey Aldridge, this time Simpson completing a jugging catch.

But from that unpromising position Rew and his captain Lewis Gregory took the attack to the Sussex bowlers and added 110 for the eighth wicket in 20 overs. When Rew clipped Danny Lamb through mid-on for four to reach 49 it took Somerset to 145, and they had avoided the chance of being asked to follow on.

Rew then edged Jayden Seals for his eighth four – one of his few false strokes – to reach his fifty from 61 deliveries.  It was the first half-century of the match. Rew edged Seales for another boundary, this time to raise the 100 partnership.

The partnership was progressing so well that it was a surprise when Gregory, who had hit four fours in his 36, lifted Hunt to Seales at mid-on. In Hunt’s next over Migael Pretorius edged behind and the bowler ended the innings when he had Leach also caught by Simpson, first ball. Somerset had lost their last three wickets in 15 balls, leaving Rew unbeaten on an 83-ball 80. Left-armer Hunt’s figures of five for 48 from 12 overs were the best of his career.

Reaction from Sean Hunt on Day Two.

Sussex vs Somerset Day One Match Report

A late burst of wickets from support bowler Fynn Hudson-Prentice gave Sussex an unlikely advantage over Somerset at Hove. 

Somerset had already lost Archie Vaughan, well caught by James Coles at third slip off Jayden Seals, when Hudson- Prentice replaced Sean Hunt at the Cromwell Road end and promptly took four wickets – including two with his first two deliveries - to leave Somerset reeling at 62 for five at the close.

Hudson-Prentice struck first ball when he had Sean Dickson caught, again by Coles.  And with his next ball the bowler had Tom Abell lbw.  Hudson-Prentice struck again in his next over when he had Tom Banton caught behind.  And finally he had Josh Davey lbw to give himself figures of four for 13 in four remarkable overs.

Somerset had taken seven Sussex wickets in the afternoon session to take control of the first meeting between these two sides in  the county championship for ten years.

Sussex lost six wickets for 53 runs in just 17 overs overs, subsiding from 127 for one to 180 for seven.  But then a recovery – led almost inevitably by John Simpson - guided the home side to a total of 294 and a single batting point. And Sussex were ahead in the match by the end 

The Somerset bowlers would have settled for the Sussex total at lunch, when the home side were 122 for one.  But having dominated proceeding between lunch and tea they might have hoped for something much better.  As it was, a stand of 53 between Simpson (47) and Jack Carson (30), who hit four fours and a straight six off Jack Leach, and a last wicket partnership of 52 between Sean Hunt (33) and Jayden Seals (21 not out) guided Sussex to a respectable total. 

Daniel Hughes and Tom Clark were the joint top-scorers, with 49 apiece, while the most successful Somerset bowler was their captain Lewis Gregory, with figures of 4-90, though he took some punishment from Hunt when he returned at the sea end at the end of the innings.

Each side went into their second match of the season after a run-drenched draw. Sussex chose to bat first, perhaps encouraged by the news that Somerset’s key overseas signing, Matt Henry, was still in New Zealand, and also by their opponents’ decision to rest Craig Overton ahead of key matches against Hampshire Surrey and Essex.

But opening bowler Davey and Lewis Gregory still posed problems on a  pitch which still offered plenty of bounce and generous seam movement, and Sussex – also without important fast bowlers Ollie Robinson and Henry Crocombe, through injury - were fortunate to lose only one wicket before lunch. 

The one wicket to fall was that of Tom Haines, who was bowled through the gate by Gregory after striking three fours in his 14.

But it all changed after the break. Clark edged Migael Pretorius behind without addition.  Then Tom Alsop, out first ball in his first innings at Edgbaston last week, managed just one better before he was caught low down by Kasey Aldridge at second slip.  When Hughes was then lbw to Pretorius Sussex had lost three wickets in ten balls. 

Coles made just one, before he was caught behind of Gregory to make it 142-5 before a stand of 38 between Simpson and Hudson-Prentice led to a Sussex revival.  But Hudson-Prentice’s best part was yet to come.

For more information about Rothesay, please visit www.ecb.co.uk/about/who-we-are/our-partners/rothesay

Sussex vs Somerset: Match Preview

Sussex's long-awaited return to the top division of County Cricket was marked by a positive performance as Paul Farbrace's side were forced to settle for a draw with Warwickshire at Edgbaston. Maximum bowling points and almost all batting points were assured, though, in an excellent team effort. Next up, the visit of Somerset. Paul Farbrace has named a 13-player squad for the home season opener. 

Team News

Paul Farbrace is without Ollie Robinson for this forthcoming meeting with Somerset, who sits out with a minor foot injury. The rest of the squad is unchanged from our previous Rothersay County Championship with Warwickshire:

Alsop, Carson, Carter, Clark, Coles, Haines, Hudson-Prentice, Hughes, Hunt, Karvelas, Lamb, Seales, Simpson* (wk)

Farbrace's Thoughts

The Head Coach was pleased with his side's performance at Edgbaston. Speaking on the draw, Farbrace said:

"It was a very good performance. The one thing we have talked a lot about is that we want to go into the fourth day of Championship games with a chance of winning and we had that chance."

"We said we would bat normally until lunchtime and then reassess, but we had a little period where it got harder to score and in the end we decided 15 points from the first game is a good return.

"If you look at Division One you will get more draws. When you are in Division Two you can look more at trying to set games up but when you've also got relegation to think about you know that if you can take 15 points from a game consistently you are going to put yourself in a really good position."

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.

The action gets underway tomorrow at 11am. 

Travel

Due to roadworks on the A27, those that are travelling by car would be best to give plenty of time to avoid arriving late. On the tracks, there are no planned engineering works scheduled for this weekend.

Food and Beverages

We are delighted to confirm a new five-year partnership with Aramark, one of the world’s leading food service providers. This season we have upped our catering game, and are pleased to be offering an improved selection of food and beverage options at the 1st Central County Ground this season. Take a walk around the ground to see what's changed!

Ticket Information 

Tickets are available to purchase online now for all four days, with Day 3 (Sunday) FREE entry. Sixes Social Cricket, the latest addition to Hove, will open tomorrow on Friday, 11th April, 

And the best part? It is absolutely free of charge to ALL ticket holders to Sussex vs Somerset on Friday-Sunday. If you're planning on coming to Day Three, you MUST claim your free ticket online to gain entry.

Going forward, buying your tickets online is the quickest and easiest way to secure your seat, save a bit of extra cash AND protect yourself if it rains.

Women’s Soft Ball Cricket Festival at Hove

The application deadline has been extended to take part in a special Women’s Soft Ball Cricket Festival at The 1st Central County Ground.

This summer, the Sussex Cricket Foundation are hosting a Women’s Soft Ball Cricket Festival on the outfield at The 1st Central County Ground and are now accepting applications from clubs who would like to take part. This event will take place on the morning of Sunday 22nd June (final timings to be confirmed), before Sussex Sharks take on Kent in the Vitality Blast Women's League Two the same afternoon. Players will be invited to stay and watch the match for free and there will be a special offer of £5 per ticket for guests.

The event is aimed at women, over 18, who don't already play cricket and cricket clubs who are looking to start women's cricket. We have a limited number of spaces available so clubs will be invited based upon their applications, after the below closing date.

Please complete the application form by Friday 9th May.

We have also now opened an ‘expression of interest’ form for individuals, who we will try to link up with local clubs - full details about this process are included at the top of the form.

If your club have not yet applied to enter but would like to be considered when placing these individuals please email lara.johnson@sussexcricket.co.uk.