Henry Crocombe has been selected for the England Lions squad to face South Africa A at Beckenham.

The Lions will face South Africa A in two four-day matches; the first of which is at Arundel, before Crocombe links up with the squad for the second match at Beckenham, commencing on 29 May.

The 24-year-old has had a fantastic start to the 2026 season, taking 19 wickets thus far. He was presented with his Sussex County Cap on the second day of last week's match against Leicestershire - a match were he also claimed his 100th first-class wicket.

Congratulations, Henry!

Full ECB Press Release:

Mousley to captain England Lions in four-day series against South Africa A.

The England Lions selectors have named a 15-player squad for the upcoming four-day series against South Africa A.
Warwickshire’s Dan Mousley will captain the team which will play South Africa A in two four-day matches at Arundel (May 22-25) and Beckenham (May 29-June 1).

England Lions 15-player four-day squad:
Dan Mousley (Warwickshire – captain)
Charlie Allison (Essex)
Henry Crocombe (Sussex – second four-day match)
Eddie Jack (Hampshire)
Ben Geddes (Middlesex)
Ben Mayes (Hampshire)
Ben McKinney (Durham)
Tom Lawes (Surrey)
Alfie Ogborne (Somerset – first four-day match)
Liam Patterson-White (Nottinghamshire)
James Sales (Northamptonshire)
Naavya Sharma (Middlesex)
Mitchell Stanley (Lancashire)
Asa Tribe (Glamorgan)
James Wharton (Yorkshire)

The four-day squad includes five players who were a part of the Lions’ tour of Australia in the winter – Eddie Jack, Ben McKinney, Tom Lawes, Mitchell Staney and Asa Tribe.

There are debut Lions call-ups for seven players – Charlie Allison, Henry Crocombe, Ben Geddes, Ben Mayes, Alfie Ogborne, James Sales and Naavya Sharma.

Somerset seamer Ogborne is selected for the first four-day match, with Sussex’s Henry Crocombe set to join the squad for the second match at Beckenham.

England Men’s Performance Director, Ed Barney, said: “We have selected an exciting squad that brings together those players that are potentially next in line for England selection, alongside some of the most exciting talent in the game.

“We have a core of players who toured Australia with the Lions in the winter as well as new names who have been rewarded for their form in the Rothesay County Championship this season. These matches provide an opportunity to perform and execute their skills against a strong international side.”

The dates and venues for the England Lions’ reciprocal tour of South Africa later this year have also been confirmed.

A three-match 50-over series (from December 1-6) will be followed by two four-day matches in Pretoria (Dec 10-13) and Benoni (Dec 18-21).
 

England Lions tour of South Africa (December 2026)
50-over series
1 December: England Lions v South Africa – Pietermaritzburg Oval (Pietermaritzburg)
4 December: England Lions v South Africa A – Mangaung Oval (Bloemfontein)
6 December: England Lions v South Africa A – Mangaung Oval (Bloemfontein)
Four-day series
10-13 December: England Lions v South Africa A – Turks Oval (Pretoria)
18-21 December: England Lions v South Africa A – Willowmoore Park (Benoni)

Paul Farbrace's Sussex travel to Somerset in fine stead as they look to make it four wins from their opening six Rothesay County Championship matches.

Yes, it's been a very positive start indeed. A second home victory of the campaign and the third in total was achieved on Monday as Sussex beat the rain to defeat Leicestershire by seven wickets completing a league double over the midlands County.

It means that Sussex have won the most matches out of any side in the division and, barring the points deduction, would currently be sitting top of Division One as they march west to Somerset - a side who have suffered back-to-back defeats in the competition.

It was announced yesterday that captain Ollie Robinson, who has led his side superbly thus far, has been named in England's 15-player squad for the forthcoming opening Test against New Zealand, starting on Thursday 4 June 2026. We congratulate the skipper on a well-earned return to the Test side.

Team News

Tom Haines was unavailable for the previous fixture against Leicestershire due to illness, but he retains his place in the squad and will be looking to open the batting once again. Tom Price continues to recover from the ankle injury suffered at Headingley, as seamers Sean Hunt and Dom Goodman move closer to featuring for the first time this season.

Squad: Carson, Carter, Clark, Coles, Crocombe, Haines, Hudson-Prentice, Hughes, Ibrahim, Lamb, Leaning, Robinson (c), Simpson, Tear

New for 2026, you can sponsor our players or coaches. Have your company name included on squad lists in our Match Preview articles and on social media graphics. To find out more, visit https://sussexcricket.co.uk/player-coach-sponsorship

The Opposition

It hasn't quite been the start Head Coach Jason Kerr would have desired having recently signed a new two-year contract with the club, with the aforementioned consecutive defeats an early blow to their title ambitions.

They started positively, though, earning a draw with Nottinghamshire before defeating Essex and Hampshire. But recent defeats to Yorkshire and Glamorgan have changed the tide, with the West Country club going into this fixture with Sussex searching to put a halt to the recent misfortunes.

Yet there remains a wealth of talent within this Somerset side: Tom Abell has been exquisite with the bat, already racking up 577 runs this campaign at an average of 72.12. Talented young wicketkeeper batter, James Rew, has also started strongly. And with the ball the trio of Craig Overton, Migael Pretorious and Lewis Gregory have combined for 54 wickets with their attack remaining as one of the most potent in the Division.

How to Watch

As always, you can watch every ball, free of charge, via our Match Centre. You will need to register for a free account to access the stream, statistics, replays and live scorecard. 

Or, you can join us at Taunton by purchasing your tickets here.

England Men have named a 15-player squad for the Rothesay first Test against New Zealand at Lord’s, starting on Thursday 4 June 2026.

The squad includes three uncapped players at Test level - Durham top-order batter Emilio Gay, Hampshire fast bowler Sonny Baker and Somerset wicketkeeper-batter James Rew. Leicestershire spinner Rehan Ahmed, Surrey seamer Matthew Fisher and our very own Ollie Robinson returns to the Test squad.

Before this recall, he had not played for England since the 4th Test against India in Ranchi in February 2024, and returns following an excellent start to the county campaign where he has taken 17 wickets and scored 305 runs, winning three of the opening five games as new captain of Sussex's red ball side - the most in the division.

England Men’s squad for the Rothesay first Test against New Zealand:

Ben Stokes (Durham) - Captain
Rehan Ahmed (Leicestershire)
Gus Atkinson (Surrey)
Sonny Baker (Hampshire)
Shoaib Bashir (Derbyshire)
Jacob Bethell (Warwickshire)
Harry Brook (Yorkshire)
Ben Duckett (Nottinghamshire)
Matthew Fisher (Surrey)
Emilio Gay (Durham)
James Rew (Somerset)
Ollie Robinson (Sussex)
Joe Root (Yorkshire)
Jamie Smith (Surrey)
Josh Tongue (Nottinghamshire)

The squad will report for a training camp at Loughborough in the week commencing 24 May. Rehan Ahmed and Jacob Bethell, who are currently playing in the Indian Premier League, will return to England once their commitments with Delhi Capitals and Royal Challengers Bengaluru have concluded.

England Men’s Managing Director, Rob Key, said: “We’ve selected a squad that we believe has a really exciting blend of proven international quality, strong county form and players with huge potential to develop at Test level.

“Emilio, James and Sonny have all earned their opportunities through consistent performances and have impressed us not only with their talent, but with the way they’ve gone about their cricket in high-pressure situations.

“It’s also great to welcome back players like Rehan, Matt and Ollie, who all bring different qualities and experience to the group. Competition for places remains incredibly strong and that’s exactly where we want to be as a Test team.

“Jofra Archer is unavailable for the first Test. He continues to play in the IPL, and it is about building him up for red-ball cricket after a long six months on the road.”

VI Sharks Fall to Defeat in the Capital

Despite it being the 9th of May in 2026 the 2025 Blind cricket season still had some unfinished business after rain had curtailed T20 Finals Day.

Sussex Sharks VI travelled to London Metro and having won the toss London Metro captain, Rory Field asked the Sharks to have a bat. The game did not get underway for nearly 2 hours as the stumps which are stored at the ground were missing and another set had to be brought in across London.

The Sharks started steadily on a deck that looked to have little pace and was difficult to time Si Ledwith (29) was the first to fall with the score on 54 when a leading edge gave Mo Galib (1 for 24) a return catch. The Sharks innings progressed steadily with Mark Bond carrying his bat with 54 off 52 balls, Dan Field gave some late innings impetus with   33 off 24 balls and the Sharks closed out on 152-2.

The score looked competitive, but the Sharks would need to bowl and field well to defend it. The innings got off to a horror start with 3 no balls and each free hit pummelled to the boundary. Phil Daniels (3 for 32) struck twice in the 3rd over but with the score on 30, London Metro were well ahead of the rate. The third wicket fell at 66 when Nick Ebbeck was smartly run out by keeper Si Ledwith, but the runs were still coming freely. This was mainly due to Matt Dean whose 88 off just 66 balls including 13 boundaries, he was well supported by Hardick Patel (29). 

With the scores level Matt looked certain to hit the winning runs but gave his first easy chance to be caught at short midwicket, Hardick then fell to a slip catch from the first ball of the 19th over, but the result was inevitable as London Metro hit the winning runs with 10 balls to spare.

This means that London Metro will now host the winners of Lancashire v Somerset in August to finally close out the season that refuses to end.

You can stay up to date with the Sussex Sharks VI fixtures and results from their 2026 campaign, via the Blind Cricket England & Wales (BCEW) website.

Match report courtesy of Ian ‘Tiny’ Morris

By Paul Weaver, ECB Reporters’ Network supported by Rothesay.

Half centuries by Leicestershire’s Rishi Patel and Jonny Tattersall frustrated Sussex who had taken a first innings lead of 102 and, at one stage, fancied their chances of winning the match in three days.

Twenty-five overs were lost to a combination of rain and bad light on a cold and blustery third day at the County Ground, Hove. But Leicestershire, who at one stage were 37 for three, still 65 runs behind, were pulled round by Patel (56) and Tattersall (54 not out).

Sussex started the day on 386 for eight, 58 runs ahead, and John Simpson, 89 not out overnight, was the main aggressor as they extended their lead.

Ollie Robinson had added only four when he sliced a drive to backward point but Simpson, supported by  Henry Crocombe, went on to his second century of the season.

When Crocombe was last out, for 13, with the score on 430, Simpson was unbeaten on 114. He faced 141 deliveries and hit 13 fours and two sixes.

It was his 21st first-class century and, remarkably, his 12th since joining Sussex in 2024. He played for Middlesex between 2009-23.

When Leicestershire batted again their impressive openers, Rishi Patel and Jake Weatherald, looked comfortable. But then they lost three quick wickets before lunch.

Robinson, who had bowled outstandingly well without much luck in  Leicestershire’s first innings, looked set for more frustration. But then he moved a delivery of full length into Weatherald and the batsman, driving extravagantly, lost his off-stump.

Leicestershire lost their second wicket in the following over when Sol Budinger received a fine delivery from Fynn Hudson-Prentice which pitched on off-stump, straightened, and trimmed the off bail.

Leicestershire captain Ian Holland fell just five runs later. Crocombe, who had replaced Robinson at the north end of the ground, bowled a wide delivery and Holland appeared to be taking his bat away from danger when he edged it and Tom Clark took a fine low catch at second slip.

While all this was going on Patel was batting with stylish aggression at the other end. But after he had added 66 for the fourth wicket with the solid looking Tattersall he was out, driving a Clark away swinger to cover-point.

His 89-ball 56 included six fours and a straight six, when he jumped down the wicket to hit Jack Carson down the ground. Patel took the attack to Carson, whose opening six-over spell went for 36.

But Tattersall found another strong partner in Steve Eskinazi, who was twice struck painful blows on the hand on his way to an unbeaten 26. When the players left the field for the last time, at 5.30, Leicestershire were 154 for four, with Tattersall having faced 128 deliveries.

By Paul Weaver, ECB Reporters’ Network supported by Rothesay.

Dan Hughes scored his first century of the season to place to place Sussex in a commanding position against Leicestershire at Hove.

At 196 for two Sussex were powerfully placed to gain a decisive lead. But Leicestershire, led by on-loan fast bowler Tom Helm, and assisted by poor stokes from Jack Leaning, Hughes and James Coles, just kept themselves in the game.

Batting looked a difficult business when Sussex started the day on 3-0.  And with the last ball of the fourth over Tom Clark, defending, edged a delivery from Helm that straightened and Rishi Patel took a sharp catch at first slip.

Helm struck again in his next over when, without addition, Dan Ibrahim, replacing the unwell Tom Haines, edged a straight ball and Rishi Patel again took the catch.

Helm, on loan from Middlesex, was the stand-out Leicestershire bowler all day, finding bounce and movement from his straight and purposeful approach.

The worry for Leicestershire, in the absence of the injured Josh Davey, is that the rest of the attack wasn’t quite in Helm’s class, though Ben Green was threatening on occasions.

Ian Holland opened the attack with Helm and frequently Hughes jumped down the pitch to attack the bowling of from the Leicestershire captain.

While ball was still hard there were  problems for the Sussex batsmen. Jack Leaning struggled in particular in the opening hour, and he might have been fortunate to survive a plausible lbw appeal from Green.

At lunch Sussex were 125 for two, with Hughes 77 not out and Leaning unbeaten on 28. Hughes reached his century (out of 154) when he square-drove Holland to the point boundary.

When Ben Cox fluffed a stumping chance off the bowling of Ajaz Patel, with Leaning on 44, the visiting side must have wondered where the next wicket would come from.

But Sussex came to their aid. Leaning had just reached a patient, obdurate fifty, off 131 deliveries with five fours, when he gave it away, going down the wicket to drive a simple catch to mid-on; 196-3. His innings – and his demise – replicated Holland’s effort the previous day.

There was more where that came from. Hughes had been batting at his best and looked set for a massive score. But when he had made 136 he drove a wide half-volley to cover; 224-4.

The Australian left-hander looked crestfallen. But he had played a gorgeous innings, batting for 229 minutes and hitting 20 fours.

The out of form James Coles, dropped a place to No 5 in he hope of finding his touch, looked in the mood when he expertly guided Tom Scriven to third man for four. But he had made only 19 when he attempted a lavish off-side stroke off the back foot and edged to Cox, who took a splendid catch; 245 for five.

Sussex appeared to be throwing it away, losing three careless wickets in the space of 49 runs. But some of the best batting was still to come. Jon Simpson, batting with power and easy timing, put on a sprightly 88 in 20 overs with Charlie Tear.

Helm ended the fun when he took the new ball, at 333 for five, and had Tear lbw on the back foot for an eye-catching, 67-ball 44. Fynn Hudson-Prentice and Jack Carson fell cheaply but Simpson was still there at the  close, unbeaten on 89. 

Sussex Sharks Women continue their Metro Bank One Day Cup campaign tomorrow (Sunday 10 May) as they make the trip to Finedon Dolben Cricket Club to take on Northamptonshire Steelbacks.

Alexia Walker's side suffered defeat at the hands of Kent at Hove last week. Despite a well-made 74 from Phoebe Wilkinson, the score of 217 wasn't enough, as Kent chased it down with 28 balls to spare - largely thanks to a fine century from opening batter Coco Streets.

The Sharks sit 5th in the table, with one win and two defeats from their opening three matches.

Team News

Sussex Sharks squad: Chiara Green (c), Izzy Collis, Anna Buckle, Phoebe Wilkinson, Bella Johnson, Ava Lee, Poppy Tulloch, Anna Lewis, Faye Mullins, Kali-Ann Docherty, Mollie Adams (wk), Eve O’Neill, Shristi Patil

The Opposition

The Steelbacks have made a flying start to the season, winning their opening two matches against Kent and Gloucestershire.

Meg Austin starred with the bat in their season opener against Kent, scoring 123 as the Steelbacks went on to win by 39 runs. Then, it was the performance with the ball that stood out against Gloucestershire, as the home side were dismissed for 143 before the Steelbacks went on to win by 6 wickets.

How to Watch

As ever, you can watch every ball, free of charge, via our Match Centre. You will need to register for a free account to access the stream, statistics, replays and live scorecard. 

The action gets underway at 10.30am on Sunday.

By Paul Weaver, ECB Reporters’ Network supported by Rothesay.

Sussex bowled out Leicestershire for 328 on the opening day of their Rothesay County Championship match at Hove, as Tom Clark and Daniel Hughes survived a tricky five-over spell to leave the hosts three without loss in reply at the close of play.

Leicestershire, the only side in the first division without a win this season, were put in after Ollie Robinson won the toss for the first time but after putting on 92 for the first wicket they slid to 209 for seven.

They were part-rescued by their tail, with the last three wickets adding 119, including an eighth wicket stand of 73 between captain Ian Holland (63) and Tom Scriven (50).

Off-spinner Jack Carson was the most successful Sussex bowler with figures of four for 40 but the stand-out performer was captain Ollie Robinson, who bowled heroically well, sending down 24.4 overs in five separate spells, and was unlucky to take only three wickets.

Robinson may have questioned his decision to bowl first on a green looking pitch as Leicestershire’s impressive and stylish openers Rishi Patel and Jake Weatherald batted with easy authority.

The right-handed Patel caught the eye with some handsome back foot drives, while the Australian Weatherald, shorter and left handed, worked the ball away with a series of neat flicks and cuts, although he was dropped at fourth slip, a difficult chance, when he had 16 and the score was 26.

The bowling in the first session was unimpressive, apart from the excellent Robinson, who found movement but bowled without any luck.

Then, shortly before lunch, Sussex had two slices of good fortune. In the 22nd over, Weatherald called for a quick single but then sent Patel back and Patel, on 45, was beaten by Jack Leaning’s direct hit from point.

Four overs later, at 108, Weatherald was out, making room to cut a short ball from Carson but slapping it straight to Tom Clark who pulled off a fine low catch in the covers.

After lunch Leicestershire were made to fight much harder for their runs. Sussex bowled markedly better only to see their fielding fall apart, with three dropped catches in quick succession.

Jonny Tattersall, the Yorkshireman who has had loan spells with Gloucestershire, Surrey and now Leicestershire, had been in good form with 200 runs in three innings. But now he was dropped on 12, 12 again and 19.

He was first put down by the normally reliable Clark at second slip, off Henry Crocombe, bowling down the hill with some pace. Then, two balls later and much to his frustration, Crocombe had Tattersall dropped by Coles at first slip. On both occasions the fielder got both hands to the ball.

Tattersall enjoyed a third let-off when, pulling against Fynn Hudson-Prentice, he was put down by Dan Ibrahim running in from long leg. But the batsman had added just one more when he offered yet another slip catch and this time Leaning accepted the chance at third.

Captain Holland and the in-form Steve Eskinazi found runs hard to come by. Eskinazi was dropped at mid-off on 14 off Carson, a difficult chance, but next ball he was caught at slip by Robinson.

Then Carson struck twice in the space of three balls. First he had Ben Cox brilliantly caught by Charlie Tear at a very close short-leg and then he had Ben Green lbw for a duck.

Holland and the impressive Scriven, who made his first fifty of the season, rescued the innings with a 16 overs partnership. And there was just time for one more drop – Leaning missing Ajaz Patel at slip off Robinson – before the end of the innings.

The Dean Wilson Sussex Cricket League restarts in full on Saturday 9 May, to commence another busy summer of cricket for recreational players across Sussex.

This year 377 teams from 148 clubs will compete across 38 divisions, with last year’s ECB Premier Division champions, Horsham Cricket Club looking to defend their title.

In an exciting development this year, Dean Wilson will also become headline sponsors of the Sussex Women’s Cricket League. The league will see 7 teams compete in the Premier Division with a further 14 teams competing in Division 2, which has been split into three regional divisions. The league will also form part of the wider League Executive Committee to provide greater administrative and governance support to help growth and development of the league.

A further 122 teams will also take part in the Cup, Trophy & Plate T20 competitions with all three finals taking place at The County Ground, Hove on Sunday 20 September with The Daniel Oliver T20 Cup final taking place under the floodlights.

The league season will conclude with the annual End of Season Dinner on Friday 23 October at The Grand Hotel, Brighton with guest speaker ex-England International and National Selector, Geoff Miller.

Gary Wallis-Tayler, Director of the Sussex Cricket Foundation said:

“We are all looking forward to another exciting summer of cricket for both our open & women’s leagues. It’s great to see the growth of both leagues and I wish all the players and volunteers the best of luck for the season ahead. I would also like to thank Dean Wilson for their continued support, especially of our women’s league which continues to thrive.”

James Chadburn, Managing Partner at Dean Wilson LLP said:

“We are very proud to continue our support of the Dean Wilson Sussex Cricket League and, this year, to become headline sponsors of the Sussex Women’s Cricket League. Having supported the open league for a second season, it’s important to us that our partnership reflects the breadth and growth of the game across Sussex. Supporting the women’s league aligns strongly with our values as a firm – community, opportunity and long‑term development – and we’re delighted to play our part in helping both leagues go from strength to strength.”

Gary Stanley, Chair of the Sussex Cricket League said:

"On your marks for another great season of SCL cricket, with the league going from strength to strength and continuing to be held up by the ECB as an exemplar of recreational cricket. We especially look forward to working closely with the Women's league before we officially combine at the end of the year, which is a natural and very exciting development."

To follow this season’s action, you can visit the respective Play-Cricket sites: Dean Wilson Sussex Cricket League & Dean Wilson Sussex Women’s Cricket League.