I can confirm, on behalf of the Club, that Jon Filby has stepped down with immediate effect from his role as Chair of Sussex Cricket.

 Jon has served as Chair since April 2022 and has given a significant amount of time and energy to the Club during a difficult period. On behalf of Sussex Cricket, I would like to thank him for his service.

The Vice Chair, Martin Richards, will act as Chair on an interim basis until the Annual General Meeting (AGM) in March. An independent Board Review, as part of the ECB Framework and CPA Agreements, will commence imminently, alongside a planned process to recruit and appoint new Directors, including a new Chair.

I also want to respond directly to the open letter published this week and to the strength of feeling it reflects. We fully understand the emotions behind it. Poor financial performance has left the Club in a position where we have had to seek support from the ECB and now face sporting sanctions. We know many former players, sponsors and members care deeply about Sussex Cricket, and we hear their concerns clearly.

I can only apologise, on behalf of the Club, for the position we are in. But I would ask everyone who cares about Sussex to allow us the opportunity to put things right. It will mean change, but it also requires stability, and we will be far stronger together. We will not shirk the challenge ahead, and we welcome all forms of constructive dialogue.

Alongside these governance steps, work to address the Club’s financial position is already under way, with further actions being progressed to place Sussex Cricket on a more sustainable footing.

On Monday evening we will hold a Members’ Forum. Martin Richards, Paul Farbrace and I will be present. The purpose of that forum is to provide members with insight into the challenges the Club faces, how we are addressing them, and to hear concerns and answer questions. We expect that conversation to be robust, and we welcome it.

Sussex Cricket has a proud history and an incredibly loyal supporter base. Rebuilding trust will take time, but we are determined to do so and put the Club on a more stable footing for the future.

 Mark West

Interim CEO

Sussex Cricket  

Mark West to continue as Interim Chief Executive of Sussex Cricket

Sussex Cricket has confirmed that Mark West will continue in his role as Interim Chief Executive as the Club enters the next phase following the recent ECB Framework Agreement.

West, who took on the role in October, will be tasked with leading the Club through a period of reform and stabilisation and into 2027, providing continuity and clear leadership as Sussex works to restore long-term sustainability.

Chair Jon Filby said:

“Mark has made a strong start in challenging circumstances and has quickly earned the confidence of the Board, Paul Farbrace and the playing group.

He has brought clarity and focus at a time when the Club needed stability, and we believe he is the right person to lead Sussex through this next phase.

Mark has the judgement and experience to guide the Club forward, while continuing to build on the progress being made on the pitch.”

Head Coach Paul Farbrace added:
“From a cricket perspective, Mark has been supportive and very present from the moment he arrived. 

He understands the importance of clarity and trust, and that has been felt by players and staff as we prepare for the season ahead.

His leadership has brought a sense of stability, which has allowed me and the coaching staff to focus fully on the cricketing priorities as we build towards the new season.”

Mark West said:
“I’m grateful for the confidence that has been placed in me and I’m fully committed to the challenge ahead. 

Sussex Cricket has been part of this county for well over a century. It’s a Club with deep roots, a proud history and an incredibly loyal supporter base, and that is one of our greatest strengths.

We must reconnect the Club with its members, its local community and its local businesses, and ensure people feel proud to be part of Sussex again.

There is a huge amount of goodwill around this Club. My focus is on harnessing that support and turning it into long-term relationships that help create stability and sustainability off the pitch.

There is a lot of work to do, but we have a clear plan in place and a shared determination to move the Club forward.”

West brings extensive senior leadership experience from UK and international organisations, with a strong track record of leading change in complex and regulated environments.

His executive career includes senior roles with organisations such as Breedon Group plc, Harrods Ltd, JAB Luxury GmbH and Stanley Gibbons Group plc.

Alongside his professional background, he is a long-standing cricket supporter with a genuine affection for the game. An avid follower of English cricket, he has travelled widely to watch England play overseas and is a Trustee of the Sussex Cricket Museum, reflecting his long-standing connection to the Club and the county.

Members' Forum - 9th February 

A Members' Forum will take place on Monday 9th February at 6pm in the Dean Wilson Boundary Rooms. 

The Forum will be hosted by Mark West, Paul Farbrace and Martin Richards. Members will have the opportunity to ask questions regarding the recent news regarding the Club's financial position.

Sussex Cricket has entered into a three-year financial framework with the ECB following a period of financial difficulty for the Club.

The framework has been agreed after sustained operating losses in the last financial year and is intended to provide stability while changes are made to strengthen how the Club is run.

As part of the agreement, Sussex Cricket will operate under enhanced financial oversight and governance arrangements. The framework also provides access to funding from the Club’s future central distributions to support short-term stability while reforms are implemented.

As a result of entering the framework, Sussex will be subject to a points sanction across the men’s professional competitions in the 2026 season. The Club will face a 12-point deduction in the County Championship and a one-point deduction in each of the two limited-overs competitions.

Interim Chief Executive Mark West said: “We fully understand how disappointing this news will be for everyone connected with Sussex Cricket.

"Since taking on the interim role at the end of last season, it has become clear that a combination of internal decisions and wider economic pressures have contributed to the position the Club finds itself in today.

"The points deductions will be an unexpected blow to the players and supporters, but we accept the ECB’s decision. We are sorry — it hasn’t been good enough. Our responsibility now is to put things right and ensure the Club is in a stronger position going forward.”

The new three-year financial framework agreed with the ECB introduces clearer financial safeguards and closer oversight. It will remain in place until 2029, and includes additional financial controls to ensure cricket operations are protected.

This includes enhanced governance and financial oversight, an independent review of the Board’s skills and effectiveness, and ECB observer rights at Board and relevant committee meetings.

There will be a player salary cap for the 2026–2028 seasons, and the club will provide the ECB with a three‑year business plan demonstrating sustainable year‑on‑year operating profits by 2027/28. 

The club has also been issued a suspended £100,000 fine, which will only be enforced if those conditions are breached. 

West added: “These measures provide assurance of a clear, sustainable pathway back to long‑term financial stability, and the loan will be fully repaid, under the terms, from future funding streams due.

“We are extremely grateful for the ECB’s support as we work through this period. This is the best possible way forward for the club, and while it has been a difficult few days for supporters, players and staff, we can now move forward positively. 

“As we look ahead to the new season, our focus is on making the club sustainable: we cannot expect to rely on central funds in the same way in the future — and any monies must be used in line with the ECB’s financial guardrails. 

“Our focus has to be on building our own revenue streams and sustainable growth on and off the field, to ultimately create an environment in which the team can thrive in all formats of the game.”

We're into February now, and cricket returns to Hove next month. As a result, our Winter Watch series nears the close. Yet there remains a few Sharks still claiming wickets and scoring runs across distant waters, and we'll start in Sri Lanka where the T20 World Cup nears its beginning.

Jofra Archer

Perhaps a surprise pick in the World Cup squad following his injury during the Ashes, but to England's benefit nonetheless as Archer heads over to Asia. And it's been a bright start in the warm-up matches against Sri Lanka, with England winning both on the DL. 

Archer's looked in good touch, too, taking two wickets in the second warm-up game after bowling economically in the opener. A strong start, and an exciting tournament ahead for Archer and England with their opening match against Nepal on Sunday, 8th February at 9.30am GMT. The final warm-up with Sri Lanka takes place today, at 1.30pm GMT.

Anna Buckle

Buckle's time in Australia this winter has been long and prosperous, building up a wealth of confidence ahead of a big season with Sussex. Whilst the result went the way of the opposition, Buckle impressed in her nine-over spell, taking a wicket and going for 36 runs. 17 runs with the bat, too, to further embellish the outing against Paramatta at the recent weekend.

Oli Carter

There's a few matches to catch up on for Carter who, following a mini break with Sturt, has since resumed in fine fettle. In three of the four innings, he's recorded scores of 79, 50 and 86 - the latter of which came from just 95 deliveries and featured four sixes. A positive January for the wicket-keeper batter, who returns to Sussex soon in good stead ahead of the season's commencement.

James Coles

No statistics to share, but a gentle reminder of Coles' call-up to the England Lions squad for the forthcoming series against Pakistan Shaheens. The first match will be on Friday, 20 February and conclude on Monday, 9 March. The schedule includes three T20 matches and five 50-over matches.

Brad Currie

With Bangladesh's withdrawal from the World Cup, it opens the door for Currie and his Scotland side as they enter the tournament. They've had a warm-up game, and Currie impressed against Afghanistan, albeit ending in defeat. Figures of 4-0-19-1 puts him in fine stead heading into Saturday's opener with West Indies, but they've one more warm-up to play tomorrow against Namibia before the competition commences. 

Dan Ibrahim

Wintering well in New Zealand, it wasn't to be Ibrahim's finest outing with the bat in both of the outings we're to report on, but he picked up a couple of wickets in his side's five wicket win over Napier Old Boys before taking the lone wicket in defeat to George Thomas' Cornwall a week later.

George Thomas

And coming swiftly onto Thomas, last week's performance was another outstanding showing with bat and ball, blasting 73* from 47 deliveries in a nine-wicket victory over Ibrahim's Central Hawkes Bay. Taking a wicket, too, it's been a similarly excellent stint in New Zealand for Thomas who soon returns to England full of confidence ahead of the fresh campaign.

Alfie Pyle, Jake Vosloo and Liam O'Brien

An experience to remember for our Sussex trio, who have been making history over in India as part of a five-match IT20 series - England Disability's first overseas tour after a successful trial home series this summer.

Three games in, and England have claimed two wins so far, with Pyle, O'Brien and Vosloo all impressing - the latter recently making history by becoming the youngest ever disability cricketer to represent England. He has since become England's youngest ever disability cricketer to take a wicket. 

They're back in action tomorrow, with the final match of the Series taking place on Friday, 6th February. You can keep up to date here.

Sussex Cricket is profoundly saddened to announce the death, on Sunday 1 February, of Tony Pigott at the age of the 67, in Tunbridge Wells following a heart attack.

Anthony Charles Shackleton “Lester” Pigott was a distant relative of the Antarctic explorer Ernest Shackleton. He was born in Fulham in 1958 and went to Harrow School before joining the staff at Sussex County Cricket Club in 1977. The following year he made his debut against Surrey when he took his first three first class wickets in a hat trick. A unique achievement and one that befitted his remarkable character. He was an ebullient cricketer, bowled quickly and hit the ball hard as a lower order batsman and always gave of his very best for the team in pursuit of victory. In 1984 he made his single Test match appearance for England against New Zealand in Christchurch, again typically, postponing his wedding in order to play for his country. Tony left Sussex to join Surrey in 1994, seeking a fresh challenge but he was dogged by back injuries and became second team coach in 1996, with the intention of starting a second career in coaching.

But, in the same year, he played a crucial role in the Revolution which saw the committee replaced and in 1997 he was appointed as Chief Executive of his beloved Sussex County Cricket Club, a role in which he made a huge impact. He was energetic, ambitious and optimistic and these qualities led not only to Hove becoming the first cricket ground in the UK to install floodlights but more importantly to creating the culture that led to the Golden Age of Sussex Cricket and the first County Championship win in 2003. 

Chris Adams, on hearing of Tony’s death, said ‘Tony was one of, if not, the biggest positive transformative influences in the history of the club. An incredibly sad day for his family, the Sussex family and indeed the broader family of cricket. Personally, Tony played an enormous part in moulding my life for the better and was the number one reason I signed for Sussex in 1998. A really loveable, glass half full character who will be missed dearly by many. Thank you ‘Lester’ for everything you did for Sussex CCC, the 2003 Championship in my eyes will always be dedicated to you and the brave few who stood up and were counted in 1997.”

After leaving his role as CEO in 1999 Tony went on to a variety of roles in cricket and was a frequent visitor to Hove both as a Pitch Inspector and a Match Referee. Despite being dogged by ill health, Tony retained his enthusiastic approach to life and in November 2025 published his memoirs “Lester and the Deckchair Revolution” which have been much enjoyed by all who read them. Indeed, he was due to visit the ground at Hove on Saturday 7 February to talk to the members of the Cricket Memorabilia Society and a number of events to promote his book were being arranged for the start of the season. He will be sorely missed by all of us at Sussex Cricket and by all his friends in the game. As Ian Gould said this morning, “It's terribly sad. Lester was one of the world’s great characters”.

Jake Vosloo Etches His Name Into the Record Books

Sussex spinner Jake Vosloo made history today when he became the youngest ever disability cricketer to represent England.

Vosloo made his debut in a seven-wicket defeat to India, the first of a five-game IT20 series. Sussex's Alfie Pyle also represented the three lions taking two of the three Indian wickets, with Brighton-based Liam O'Brien also featuring.

O'Brien (55) shared a 101-run partnership with Callum Flynn, as England set the hosts a tricky target of 174. England failed to apply the pressure needed with the ball, with India eventually running out victors. 

To see the full list of fixtures and read the match report, please click here. 

James Coles Selected for England Lions

Sussex Cricket is delighted to announce that James Coles has been called up to the England Lions' T20 and 50-over squads for the upcoming series against Pakistan Shaheens. 

Congratulations, Colesy! #GOSBTS

Full ECB Release:

Cox and Mousley to captain England Lions in UAE

Jordan Cox and Dan Mousley will captain the England Lions’ T20 and 50-over squads respectively during next month’s white-ball series against Pakistan Shaheens in the United Arab Emirates.

The selectors have named a 17-player squad for the three-match T20 series, with a 16-player squad announced for the five 50-over matches.

T20 squad
Jordan Cox (Essex - captain)
Sonny Baker (Hampshire)
Luc Benkenstein (Essex)
James Coles (Sussex)
Sam Cook (Essex)
Scott Currie (Hampshire)
Calvin Harrison (Northamptonshire)
Eddie Jack (Hampshire)
Saqib Mahmood (Lancashire)
Ben McKinney (Durham)
Tom Moores (Nottinghamshire)
Dan Mousley (Warwickshire)
Matt Revis (Yorkshire)
Will Smeed (Somerset)
Nathan Sowter (Durham)
Mitch Stanley (Lancashire)
Asa Tribe (Glamorgan)
  
50-over squad
Dan Mousley (Warwickshire – captain)
Sonny Baker (Hampshire)
Luc Benkenstein (Essex)
Sam Cook (Essex)
James Coles (Sussex)
Scott Currie (Hampshire)
Calvin Harrison (Northamptonshire)
Eddie Jack (Hampshire)
Ben McKinney (Durham)
Liam Patterson-White (Nottinghamshire)
Matthew Potts (Durham)
Matt Revis (Yorkshire)
James Rew (Somerset)
Mitch Stanley (Lancashire)
Asa Tribe (Glamorgan)
James Wharton (Yorkshire)
  
ECB Men’s Performance Director, Ed Barney, said: “It’s exciting to have such a strong England Lions squad selected. This group brings a real blend of proven performers, exciting talent who have performed over the winter and retains an eye on future best.
“With limited 50-over cricket on offer, this series combined with tours over the remainder of 2026 will give players the opportunity to develop and deliver as we build towards the 2027 ICC Men's World Cup in South Africa.”
England Lions Head Coach Andrew Flintoff will lead a coaching staff that will include Troy Cooley’s first tour since returning to the ECB as Men's Elite National Pace Bowling Lead. The coaching team – which will attend either all or part of the tour – includes Neil McKenzie, Sarah Taylor, Neil Killeen, Moeen Ali, Amar Rashid and Ben Stokes.
The tour will be the first time that England Lions have played an away white-ball series since they travelled to Sri Lanka in February 2022. The Lions will also host South Africa A and Sri Lanka in white-ball cricket this summer with white-ball tours also planned for next winter.
ends
  
Tour schedule – England Lions v Pakistan Shaheens
1st T20: Sheikh Zayed Cricket Stadium, Abu Dhabi – Friday 20 February 2026
2nd T20: Sheikh Zayed Cricket Stadium, Abu Dhabi – Sunday 22 February 2026
3rd T20: Sheikh Zayed Cricket Stadium, Abu Dhabi – Tuesday 24 February 2026
1st 50-over match: Sheikh Zayed Cricket Stadium, Abu Dhabi – Friday 27 February 2026
2nd 50-over match: Sheikh Zayed Cricket Stadium, Abu Dhabi – Sunday 1 March 2026
3rd 50-over match: Sheikh Zayed Cricket Stadium, Abu Dhabi – Wednesday 4 March 2026
4th 50-over match: Sheikh Zayed Cricket Stadium, Abu Dhabi – Friday 6 March 2026
5th 50-over match: Sheikh Zayed Cricket Stadium, Abu Dhabi – Monday 9 March 2026
ends

Following the news that Scotland have received a late call-up to the T20 World Cup following Bangladesh's decision not to play, Sussex bowler Brad Currie will now take part in the competition which begins on Saturday, 7th February. Charlie Tear is a non-travelling reserve.

Scotland's opening match of the tournament will be on the opening day, as they play West Indies in Group C's curtain raiser. Also in their group is England, Italy and Nepal.

We wish Brad and Charlie all the very best of luck over the coming weeks.