Sussex vs Leicestershire: Day One Match Report

Sussex captain John Simpson scored his third century of the season as he took control of a difficult situation against Leicestershire on the opening day of this second division county championship match at The 1st Central County Ground.

Leicestershire must be sick of the sight of Simpson, whose other two hundred came at Leicester, an unbeaten 205, and at his former home ground of Lord’s (167), so this was his first big score in front of his new supporters – and it was a crowd boosted by the club’s decision to grant spectators free admission.

This time, coming in at 34-3, he scored a chanceless 180 not out in a Sussex total of 431-7, batting almost all day and hitting 29 fours from his 251 deliveries.  But Oli Carter was arguably the real Sussex hero of the day.  

This was Oli Carter's first appearance since the opening match of the season.  He came in to open the batting for the injured Daniel Hughes and put on 156 with Simpson for the fourth wicket in just 34 overs.  

His 96 came off 142 balls, with 15 fours and a six off Scott Currie, flicked off his legs and onto the east-side scoreboard.  He was caught and bowled by Currie attempting a hook that would have given him only his second fist-class century. 

When Leicestershire won the toss it looked a very good one to win.  There was a pronounced green tinge to the pitch and the bright morning sunshine had given way to a heavy cloud cover, which lent humidity to the conditions.

It should have been an even better start for the Foxes.  Tom Haines had not scored when he edged the tall left-arm seamer Josh Hull only for Currie to spill the straightforward catch at third slip. 

But Holland, opening the bowling from the sea end, made up for that when he struck twice in four balls in the sixth over.

First, he had Haines caught at second slip by Louis Kimber, moving sharply to his right.  And the same combination accounted for Tom Alsop, with Kimber, on this occasion, taking a low catch.  

Holland bowled particularly well to the left-handers. Bowling round the wicket and wide of the crease, he slanted the ball into the stumps and then moved it away in the direction of his three slips.

Sussex lost their third wicket at 34 when James Coles, dropped on four, added just five runs before he was caught down the leg-side to give Holland his third wicket.  

The Wisconsin-born Holland is one of county cricket’s more interesting players, having been given his first chance with Victoria, after winning a reality TV show in Australia.  The all-rounder is on loan to Leicestershire from Hampshire. 

But Simpson, who promoted himself to No.5 in a rejigged batting order, then took charge with Carter.  

The lunch score was 84 for three after 29 overs but against some ragged bowling and shoddy fielding – four catches went down - Sussex, who are top of the table with three wins, ran amok in he afternoon session, when they scored 197 runs.

Carter was fourth out at 190.  Then Fynn Hudson-Prentice was brilliantly caught by Peter Handscomb at slip for a quick-fire 26 and when Danny Lamb was surprised by Currie’s bounce Leicestershire (third in the table after drawing all seven games) looked back in it at 260-6. 

But Jack Carson, dropped twice on the way to 25, and  Nathan McAndrew (51 not out) helped put Sussex well on top at the close.

Report Provided by ECB Reporters' Network

Reaction from John Simpson after his remarkable unbeaten 180

Sussex Sharks VI vs Northamptonshire VI: Match Report

Yesterday Sussex hosted Northants in Blind Crickets National Division 1. Northants had drawn their first two games and Sussex's only outing had also ended in stalemate but “Play Cricket’s” win predictor was giving a 55% win chance to the visitors.

 Sussex won the toss and asked Northants to have a bat. Scoring proved tricky and despite the loss of 2  early wickets Northants saw off the Sussex opening bowlers and progressed to 63 for 2. 

Sussex threw the ball to Marcus Kipling who then turned the course of the match. First Opener Asif Ali (35) holed out to square leg, then Northants skipper, David Howells (17), was spectacularly caught at long on running backwards by Alex Towers. 

Northants innings then fell apart. Kipling took another 2 wickets to return figures of 4 wickets for just 5 runs off his 4 overs. 

The Northants innings then concluded as England's Mark Turnham swept powerfully straight into the arms of Dan Field at square leg, with it being the birthday of both players this was a dismissal for the trivia buffs. Northants' innings ended on 82 all out.

Callum Weir (21) was promoted to open and set a solid platform at a run-a-ball. With 42 overs to get the runs, Sussex knew that sensible batting was all that was needed. 

However, when Northants tried to entice Dan Field to hole out with short pitched bowling, he brought the game to an early close blasting 36 not-out off just 13 balls, with Sussex completing the chase in the 11th over.

The result moves Sussex to within 1 point of London Metro at the top of the table.

Sussex will host London Metro on July 6th at Blackstone in an enticing fixture, which will complete the first half of the season.

Sussex vs Leicestershire: Daniel Hughes Replaced in 

Squad by Dan Ibrahim

Daniel Hughes has been replaced in the Sussex squad for today's game by Dan Ibrahim. The opening batsman injured his hand in Friday night's T20 Blast match against Hampshire. 

Updated Sussex Squad

Alsop, Carson, Carter, Coles, Haines, Hudson-Prentice, Hunt, Ibrahim, Karvelas, Lamb, McAndrew, Robinson, Simpson* (wk)

Photo credit: Saud Ahmed

Sussex vs Leicestershire: Match Preview

The Vitality County Championship returns tomorrow, with Sussex hosting Leicestershire at The 1st Central County Ground. Sussex sit top of division two and will be hoping to pick up where they left off before the Blast began. Paul Farbrace has named a 13-player for the game. 

Squad

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

Team News

Tom Clark remains unavailable due to a shoulder injury. Daniel Hughes and Nathan McAndrew replace Jayden Seales and Cheteshwar Pujara as overseas players.

Free Entry to Day One

Entry will be free of charge to all spectators on day one of the next County Championship match at The 1st Central County Ground between Sussex and Leicestershire. 

Claiming your ticket is easy, just visit our ticketing website now to grab yours. 

Please note: It is important you claim yours in advance, as this will help to reduce queues upon entry.

Sussex Cricket Foundation Donation

As the game is free of charge we would like to encourage spectators to make a small donation to the Sussex Cricket Foundation. This can be done when claiming your free ticket online, through the ticketing website.

Any donation you can manage is greatly appreciated and will help to continue the great work the Foundation carries out in the County. Find out more by visiting their website.

How to Watch

If you can't make it to the game tomorrow, you can catch every ball, free of charge, via the Match Day Centre on our livestream. The first ball is at 11am. 

Hampshire vs Sharks: Match Report

Nathan McAndrew was electric with the bat and miserly with the ball as Sussex Sharks went second in the Vitality Blast South Group with a seven-run victory over Hampshire Hawks.

Australian all-rounder McAndrew hammered 32 off 11 balls to boost an underwhelming score, with the help of Tom Alsop’s 43 off 27.

James Vince bagged his fifth 50-plus score in his last six T20 innings against Sussex and Joe Weatherley picked up 68 not out.

But McAndrew returned one for 21 – spoiled only by a penultimate ball no ball – before Danny Lamb defended 25 off the last over to give the Sharks a first Utilita Bowl win since 2020 and pull out a six-point buffer on Hampshire.

The Sharks were stuck in and despite losing three wickets in the powerplay – all to a rampant Michael Neser – but found regular contributors to reach a sizeable total.

Neser – on his last Hawks appearance before Ottneil Baartman replaces him for the second half of the competition – had Harrison Ward skying straight up, Daniel Hughes bowled with a beauty which nipped back and John Simpson chipping to cover. The Australian returning three for 32.

Fynn Hudson-Prentice forced wicketkeeper Ben McDermott to scramble under a high one and James Coles – who had held firm for 39 – was brilliantly caught by a sprawling Benny Howell at long off.

At 73 for five at the halfway point, Sussex looked in danger but Hampshire old boy Tom Alsop and Danny Lamb settled things down with a 57-run stand.

Lamb scooped a six but was otherwise jerky in his 28, but Alsop crescendoed through his innings, going from a sensible run-a-ball to a rampant 43 off 27 before he chipped to his former captain Vince at mid-off.

If Alsop had been controlled for most his innings, McAndrew was unrestrained in his ball-striking from the moment his second ball disappeared into the square leg crowd.

Two more sixes sailed into the stands in his 32 off 11, and although he was dropped – a bizarre moment where Ollie Robinson was subsequently run out – his late innings blasting got Sussex to a defendable position.

With 185 to win, Hampshire didn’t attack the challenge with gusto as McDermott and Fletcha Middleton fell in a flaccid 38 for two powerplay.

A couple of 30s had been the high points of Vince’s Blast campaign but he grew through his innings and found the perfect rotating-the-strike partner in Joe Weatherley – the due adding 88 for the third wicket.

There were glimpses of peak Vince with a glorious cover drive as his 71st T20 fifty came up in 35 balls.

But he never managed to explode to the required rate and departed for 53 when he rolled the ball back onto his own stumps.

Weatherley converted to a half-century – having scored 48 and 49 earlier in the tournament – but his 68 off 47 was too ultimately slow for the rate.

Benny Howell swatted two early sixes but faded, and although Weatherley sweetly struck the first four balls of the final over for four, Hampshire ended up seven runs short.

Photo credit: Dave Vokes

Report Provided by ECB Reporters' Network

Reaction from Head Coach Paul Farbrace after another Blast victory

Sussex Cricket Foundation Breaks New Ground at School's Day 

On Wednesday over 3000 school children from across Sussex came to cheer on the Southern Vipers as they stormed to a 113-run victory over the South East Stars at The 1st Central County Ground.

Every year the Sussex Cricket Foundation invites thousands of school children across the County to a dedicated fixture at The 1st Central County Ground, free of charge, in a bid to inspire the next generation of boys and girls to take up the game of cricket.

For 2024, the Foundation invited the schools to Hove to witness the Southern Vipers take on the South East Stars in a thrilling Charlotte Edwards Cup encounter. 

In total 70 schools made the trip, and they were not disappointed as the Vipers fielded no less than 8 Sussex players, as well as numerous England internationals. 

Sussex Women and Vipers captain Georgia Adams hailed the atmosphere as one of the best she has been involved in: “Wednesday was honestly one of the best atmospheres we have ever witnessed in a regional T20 game.

“The sun was shining and to see so many children smiling, singing and embracing the day was fantastic.

“It definitely pumped the whole team up and will go down in history as he best game I have ever played at Hove!”

As well as getting to watch the game free of charge, children were invited onto the pitch after the game, before having the chance to meet their heroes to take pictures and collect autographs.

A teacher from Lancing Prep added: The organisation was incredible, the atmosphere electric and the cricket...well our arms ached from holding up the 6 and 4 cards you gave us! 

“All the Sussex Cricket staff were so helpful and accommodating and friendly.  We just loved it all. I can't thank you enough. Definite memories made for a very long time.”

Another leader from Our Lady of Sion Primary School said: "Thank you so much for an amazing day. It was so well organised with a great crowd and friendly staff.

"The children have been buzzing after this and we really appreciate you inviting us. What a team Sussex Cricket is!"

Sussex Women Head Coach and Director of Cricket at BACA (Brighton Aldridge Community Academy) added: "Today was simply awesome. The atmosphere, the organisation, the pitch, the weather, the cricket…it was like nothing I’ve seen before in 30 years of watching domestic women’s cricket. 

"I want to pass on my thanks as a school leader to the unbelievable effort of everyone involved to make this day such a resounding success. The students had an amazing day and many memories formed.

"As the Head Coach of Sussex Women, it also gave me great hope for the future. The belief shown by the Club in the women’s game and also in the potential fan base we have for years to come is exceptional."

The Sussex Cricket Foundation would also like to thank Major Partner, 1st Central for the support the fantastic volunteers they provided to ensure they day ran smoothly. 

To find out more about Women and Girls cricket across Sussex, please visit: https://sussexcricket.co.uk/sussex-cricket-foundation/women-and-girls

Hampshire vs Sharks: Match Preview

The Sharks are on the road again, this time travelling to The Utilita Bowl to face Hampshire. Can the Sharks follow-up last night's impressive victory over Kent at The 1st Central County Ground? Head Coach Paul Farbrace has named an unchanged squad for the trip.

Squad

Alsop, Carson, Carter, Coles, Crocombe, Hudson-Prentice, Hughes, Karvelas, Lamb, Lenham, McAndrew, Mills (c), Robinson, Simpson (wk), Ward

How to Watch

Tonight's match gets underway at 7:15pm and will be shown live on Sky Sports Cricket. Unfortunately, this means it will not be availalble as a livestream on our website, however you can still visit the Match Centre to keep up with the live scorecard and statistics.

Fancy the Trip to Hampshire?

Tickets are still available for Sharks fans to purchase via the Hampshire ticketing website. If you want to show you support for the Sharks in Hampshire, click here to buy yours. 

Four Home Blast Games Remain

Only four T20 Blast group games are left this season and with the Sharks in red-hot form, now is the time to grab a ticket to support the team as they push for the quarter-finals.

Find tickets to the last four home games on our ticketing website. Plus, 10% discount on all bookings of 6 or more tickets! #SharkAttack

Free Entry: Day One of Sussex vs Leicestershire

Sussex Cricket is delighted to offer another day of free Vitality County Championship cricket this season. Entry will be free of charge to all spectators on day one of the next County Championship match at The 1st Central County Ground between Sussex and Leicestershire. 

Having opened the gates to thousands of spectators on day one of the season, Sussex is once again making all tickets free of charge for the opening day of the next match.

Claiming your ticket is easy, just visit our ticketing website now to grab yours. 

Please note: It is important you claim yours in advance, as this will help to reduce queues upon entry.

Sussex Cricket Foundation Donation

As the game is free of charge we would like to encourage spectators to make a small donation to the Sussex Cricket Foundation. This can be done when claiming your free ticket online, through the ticketing website.

Any donation you can manage is greatly appreciated and will help to continue the great work the Foundation carries out in the County. Find out more by visiting their website.

We look forward to welcoming you to The 1st Central County Ground once again! #GOSBTS

Sharks vs Kent: Match Report

The Sussex Sharks made it five wins out of seven in the Vitality Blast when they defeated Kent’s Spitfires by 31 runs at The 1st  Central County Ground, Hove. But for Kent this was a fourth defeat in as many games.

Kent’s challenge, to score 202, was always a daunting one, the more so after Zak Crawley was bowled by Ollie Robinson for four in the opening over – the England opener’s sixth consecutive failure to reach double figures. Robinson was also unlucky not to have Marcus O’Riordan lbw in the same over.

But when O’Riordan was out in the second over, edging Nathan McAndrew to first slip, everything appeared to depend on Daniel Bell-Drummond and skipper Sam Billings, because there was a lack of experience in Kent’s late middle-order.

Bell-Drummond and Billings looked the part as they added 93 for the third wicket.  And when James Coles went for 19 in one over, and also dropped Bell-Drummond, a steepling catch, it looked a possible turning point.  But Sussex captain Tymal Mills responded by bringing himself on at the other end and immediately bowled the Kent batter.

That moved Billings firmly centre stage.  But in the next over he sent a lofted drive to Robinson at wide long-off and the match looked over, despite a spirited knock from Joey Evison (34 off 23) and a quick 18 from former Sussex player Harry Finch. Danny Lamb completed an impressive all-round match with figures of 3-37.

Earlier Kent, who chose to field, made a good start when they conceded just three runs off the opening two overs. But the next four overs went for 19, 13, 16 and 17 as Sussex reached 68 without loss from the powerplay.

In those six overs Daniel Hughes faced just nine deliveries. But Harrison Ward, showing form and confidence after his 68 at Chelmsford on Friday, made up for at the other end.  He reached his fifty from just 24 balls, with some long hitting, both straight and to the short boundary on the left-hander’s leg side.  

Kent broke through in the seventh over when Hughes, who had swung Matt Parkinson for two sixes, was well caught by Bell-Drummond at long-leg as he attempted a third. Ward followed in the next over, caught by Finch on the deep midwicket boundary. He had made 61 off 28 deliveries, with six fours and five sixes.

The Kent fightback continued when Beyers Swanepoel bowled John Simpson for three in the ninth and in the next over Tom Alsop was lbw to Parkinson for just two, a very tight decision.  When Coles gave Parkinson his third wicket, also lbw, for 21, Sussex had lost five wickets for just 36 runs.

But some late hitting by Lamb, who managed 40 from 32 balls, saw Sussex past 200.  Kent, for the most part, bowled well in discouraging conditions.  But Swanepoel (1-53) and Grant Stewart (0-51) were disappointing.#

Report Provided by ECB Reporters' Network

Reaction from Danny Lamb after emphatic Sharks victory

Danni Wyatt, Freya Kemp and Linsey Smith Selected for England IT20 Series

Sussex trio Danni Wyatt, Freya Kemp and Linsey Smith have all been selected for the England squad which will compete against New Zealand in an IT20 series this July, a series that includes a match at The 1st Central County Ground on Tuesday 9th July.

Full ECB Release

England Women squad confirmed for Vitality IT20 series against New Zealand

England Women have confirmed a 16-player squad to take on New Zealand in the Vitality IT20 series next month.

Opener Sophia Dunkley is recalled to an otherwise unchanged group from those who sealed a T20 series victory against Pakistan in May.

Southern Vipers’ Freya Kemp will be available as an all-rounder during the series after being named as a batter against Pakistan.

The two sides begin the IT20 series in Southampton (6 July) before matches in Hove (9 July) and Canterbury (11 July), finishing with two London fixtures at the Kia Oval and Lord's on 13 and 17 July respectively.

This series follows three ODIs against the same opposition at Durham (26 June) Worcester (30 June) and Bristol (3 July).

Tickets for the ODI and T20 series’ are available here: https://www.ecb.co.uk/tickets/england

Head coach Jon Lewis said: “This five-match series against a strong New Zealand side is really important for us and also vital preparation as we build towards the T20 World Cup in Bangladesh.

“We are pleased to welcome Freya Kemp back as an all-rounder and we will hopefully see her bowl across this series as she returns from injury.

“Sophia Dunkley comes back into the squad after showing good form at regional level, she has earned the right to be in this squad.

“Mahika Gaur is not available to play due to a small side strain. We will look to have her in and around the squad preparing to return to play.”

England Women T20 squad to take on New Zealand
Heather Knight (C; Western Storm)
Lauren Bell (Southern Vipers)
Maia Bouchier (Southern Vipers)
Alice ⁠Capsey (South East Stars)
Charlie ⁠Dean (Southern Vipers)
Sophia Dunkley (South East Stars)
Sophie ⁠Ecclestone (Thunder)
Lauren Filer (Western Storm)
Danielle Gibson (Western Storm)
Sarah Glenn (The Blaze)
⁠Bess Heath (Northern Diamonds)
Amy ⁠Jones (Central Sparks)
Freya ⁠Kemp (Southern Vipers)
Nat Sciver-Brunt (The Blaze)
Linsey Smith (Southern Vipers)
Danielle Wyatt (Southern Vipers)

ENDS

Less than 200 tickets left for England Women vs New Zealand Women at The 1st Central County Ground

England Women return to Hove to take on New Zealand in an IT20 under the lights on Tuesday 9th July and tickets are nearly SOLD OUT!

Less than 200 remain, so now is the time to snap yours up, before they're gone! Head to our ticketing website now to buy yours.