The Sussex Cricket Foundation and Webtrends Optimize presents DIScoverABILITY Weekend 2024

The Sussex Cricket Foundation is delighted to announce that DIScoverABILITY Day will return once again to the The 1st Central County Ground on Friday 10th May 2024 and will precede back-to-back disability cricket fixtures on the hallowed turf at Hove. 

Last year, another record-breaking DIScoverABILITY Day saw over 650 participants from 32 organisations, as well as 145 volunteers take to the field at The 1st Central County Ground for an action-packed day of batting, throwing, catching and bowling challenges, designed for all abilities and led by Sussex Cricket Foundation coaches.  

For the first time ever the spectacular disability sport event, one of the largest in the southeast, will be followed by two amazing fixtures of disability cricket. 

The first match will take place on Saturday 11th May and will see the Sussex Sharks VI (Visually Impaired) team take on Northamptonshire in a rescheduled cup final from 2023. 

That will then be followed by a D40 Quest League fixture between Sussex D40 and Lancashire on Sunday 12th May. 

The flagship weekend will take place during the Foundation’s Disability Cricket Month, which will showcase the players, teams, volunteers, and programmes which help to make up disability cricket in Sussex. 

Tom Belcher, Disability Cricket Manager for the Sussex Cricket Foundation is looking forward to an amazing weekend: “I am absolutely delighted to not only be able to announce DIScoverABILITY Day, but to be able to announce DIScoverABILITY Weekend, three days of fabulous fun and some high-class disability cricket. 

“To have both the Sussex Sharks VI and Sussex D40 sides play at a first-class ground once again, as well as our most important event in our calendar, DIScoverABILITY Day, all on the same weekend will be incredible for disability cricket in Sussex. 

“We look forward to welcoming as many people as possible to what will be three special days at The 1st Central County Ground.”

Anyone who would like to attend DIScoverABILITY Day or volunteer at the event is encouraged to contact the team at disabilitycricket@sussexcricket.co.uk

Tickets to both fixtures across the weekend will be completely free of charge, with information on how to claim yours coming in the next couple of weeks. 

Sussex Cricket reveals match kits 

for all Sussex teams ahead of the 2024 season

Sussex Cricket today unveiled the 2024 match kits for the men’s, women’s, D40 and Sharks Visually Impaired teams. 

Last week, Fynn Hudson-Prentice, Jack Carson, and James Coles were joined by Sussex Women’s Chiara Green, Daisy Gibb, Regina Suddahazai and Sussex D40 players James Bunday, Dan Gee and Megan Loveland for a photoshoot at The 1st Central County Ground. 

The match kits, along with the new training kits and Express Range, will be supplied by KitKing, in a multi-year deal that has seen Sussex become the only professional cricket team in the northern hemisphere wearing the Swoosh across their kits.

Sussex fans have already been able to get their hands on the new Nike Express Range and will soon be able to purchase both replica training and match kits ahead of the 2024 season. 

Keep an eye out in the coming weeks for information on how you can purchase your replica kits and support your favourite Sussex teams.

In this week’s Winter Watch we review Tymal Mills as he puts in another impressive performance over in Pakistan, plus we have updates on the multiple Sussex squad members playing all over the world. 

Tymal Mills continues impressive campaign in Pakistan

Tymal Mills was rested for Islamabad United’s win over Peshawar Zamir on Monday after their match two days before vs Quetta Gladiators was abandoned without a ball being bowled.

Mills was the pick of the bowlers for their win versus the Karachi Kings. Tymal took 3/34 from his four overs as Karachi finished on 150/7. Islamabad United chased it down with 8 balls to go which moves them up to 2nd behind Multan Sultans. 

Bertie Foreman stars again!

Bertie Foreman once again took another 4 wickets in Australia for 1st Grade club Manly Warringah, his 4-71 from 24 overs helped them towards a comprehensive victory over Mosman.  

Bertie is currently halfway through his match with Penrith and the Sussex youngster has already taken another 4 wickets with current figures of 4-24 of 10 overs. Penrith are currently 74/6 chasing Manly’s set target of 105. 

Robinson rested for Final Test

Ollie Robinson suffered from a sickness bug last week on top of a back issue suffered in the 4th test which has ruled him out of the final test vs India. 

Pujara knocked out of Ranji Trophy

Cheteshwar Pujara’s Saurashtra were knocked out of the Ranji Trophy in the quarter finals after Tamil Nadu won by an innings and 33 runs. Pujara was caught and bowled for 2 in his first innings and fell just 4 short of a half century in his 2nd innings knock of 46. Former Sussex player Jaydev Unadkat took 2-57 from 22 overs. 

Carter and Ibrahim knocked out of Summer Bash 

Oli Carter and Danial Ibrahim’s Newcastle City Sabres fell to defeat in the Summer Bash Quarter Finals vs Merewether Lions. Danial Ibrahim grabbed 2 wickets for himself finishing on 2-28 as the Lions set a target of 117 to win. Ibrahim managed 10 and Oli Carter fell for a duck as the Sabres finished 14 runs short of victory, finishing all out for 102.

Seales defeated in Trinidad

Sussex new overseas signing Jayden Seales lost to the Leeward Islands by 4 wickets in the West Indies Championship. Seales hit 15 in the opening Trinidad and Tobago innings as they finished on 137 and then took 1-49 from 14 overs in Leeward’s first innings as they finished on 318. Seales hit 11 in the 2nd innings as T & T finished on 342 but could not find a breakthrough wicket in Leeward’s winning chase. 

Canada defeat the Scots again

Charlie Tear and Brad Currie could not repeat their last match heroics as Canada defeated Scotland again. Scotland were all out for 197. Tear hit 18 opening the batting and Brad Currie was 8*. Canada chased the 197 comfortably finishing on 200/5. Currie took 1 wicket and finished on 1/36 of 10 overs while Tear took a catch from the bowling of Wheal. 

Women of Sussex Cricket come together for

International Women’s Day 

This week the female employees of Sussex Cricket met to celebrate International Women’s Day and discuss the challenges they face in an industry where they are disproportionally represented. 

Held in the Boardroom at The 1st Central County Ground, the meeting brought together female employees from across the organisation, including those from Professional Cricket, the Foundation and the Board of Sussex Cricket Limited. 

Led by Sussex Cricket’s People Director, Sam Holder, employees discussed a wide range of issues that not only impact themselves at work, but also female spectators and players that represent Sussex. 

One of the key objectives of the discussions was to ensure mechanisms were put in place to better improve collaboration between female employees across the organisation.

Other topics discussed included: making The 1st Central Ground a more welcoming environment for women, education on women’s health for female players at Sussex, as well as ways in which the Club can better promote women’s cricket across existing communication channels. 

Speaking on the event, Sam Holder, said: “Today was a fantastic opportunity to bring together women from across Sussex Cricket, to discuss common themes and issues impacting females in cricket and how these can be addressed. 

"It was inspiring to see the passion, commitment and hard work that has already taken place to progress women and girls’ cricket to date, but we still have work to do to ensure that women and girls have access to the same opportunities, facilities, and resources to support our ambition for cricket to be the most inclusive sport in the country. 

"I am excited by the passion shown by everyone present today. Together with the ongoing support of our colleagues within Sussex Cricket and the wider cricket community, I believe we can achieve great progress for women and girls in cricket”.

To find out more about women & girls’ cricket in Sussex, please visit: https://sussexcricket.co.uk/sussex-cricket-foundation/women-and-girls/international-womens-day 

Or to read more about International Women’s Day, click here.

Sussex Cricket's Mary Taylor has been selected for the England u19 Women's Tour of Sri Lanka!  

The England Women U19 squad to tour Sri Lanka to take on the hosts and Australia in a Tri Series has been confirmed. 

Both T20 and 50-over formats will be played in late March and early April with the dates and venues to be announced in due course. 

Within the 15-player group are a number of players that attended the inaugural ICC Women’s U19 World Cup in South Africa in January 2023 and who are still age-eligible. They are joined by some players who are U19 for the 2024 season only and some players who will also remain as U19 players for the second Women’s U19 World Cup in Malaysia in January 2025 and therefore will be in contention for that programme later in 2024. 

Head coach Chris Guest said: “We are all looking forward to our forthcoming series in Sri Lanka. 

“We have selected a good mix of those who have represented this age group before and those who are new. 

“It’s a really exciting squad who are relishing the chance to compete against quality opposition. 

“To have the opportunity to play T20 and 50-over cricket is really important. 

“It’s a chance for the players to be exposed to and experience different conditions and will present excellent learning opportunities. These will help support the development of the players within their regions and hopefully one day to play for the senior team.”

England Women U19 squad

Tilly Corteen-Coleman (South East Stars)
Jodi Grewcock (Sunrisers)
Josie Groves (The Blaze)
Katie Jones (Western Storm)
Charlotte Lambert (South East Stars)
Ava Lee (Southern Vipers)
Abigale Norgrove (Southern Vipers)
Charis Pavely (Central Sparks)
Davina Perrin (Central Sparks)
Sophia Smale (Western Storm)
Alexa Stonehouse (South East Stars)
Amuruthaa Surenkumar (Sunrisers)
Mary Taylor (Southern Vipers)
Erin Thomas (Northern Diamonds)
Maddie Ward (Northern Diamonds)

The following players have been confirmed as non-travelling reserves from the original player preparation group:

Meg Austin (Central Sparks)
Summer Carrington (Thunder)
Lola Harris (Western Storm)
Trudy Johnson (Northern Diamonds)
Charlotte Stubbs (South East Stars)

[ECB Website]

Congratulations Mary! #GOSBTS

Sussex Academy Players Joined by Archie Lenham for Specialist Batting Camp in India

Sussex Cricket Foundation Releases 2023 Impact Report

The Sussex Cricket Foundation has published its Impact Report for 2023. The annual report recognizes a number of achievements across the County for the Foundation. 

• Significant investment in Crawley through the Urban Cricket Plan
• Launch of the Aldridge@BACA Sussex Women’s Cricket League
• Another record attendance for DIScoverABILITY Day
• Alfie Pyle England debut, a product of the county’s disability cricket pathway
• Even more growth for recreational cricket across all levels of the game

It has been yet another outstanding year for the Foundation and the latest Impact Report supports the notion that cricket is continuing to grow rapidly across Sussex, thanks to the passionate work of the Foundation team.

One of the major success stories of 2023 was the investment made into cricket in Crawley, through the Foundation’s ambitious Urban Cricket Plan. 

By the end of 2024, over £200,000 will have been invested into indoor & outdoor facilities, equipment, and programmes thanks to some generous support from the Cama Cricket Charitable Trust, Roffey Homes and funds ringfenced from the Sussex Cricket Foundation.

As well as the installation of seven new non-turf pitches, a state-of-the-art, three-lane indoor net facility opened at the Apple Tree Centre in the heart of the Crawley community.

2023 also saw the launch of the first Women’s Club Premier League in Sussex, as well as a second division one step below.

The Aldridge@BACA Sussex Women’s Cricket League has not only helped to grow participation numbers in Women’s cricket, but also serves as a clear pathway from recreational amateur cricket to the regional and professional game. 

The growth & development of Women & Girls Cricket across the County continues to be of high importance to the Foundation. 

Yet again in 2023 DIScoverABILITY Day broke participation records, with 650 participants attending the annual disability cricket showcase.

32 organisations came together, made up of 150 volunteers, to give members of the local community an opportunity to play games on the pitch at The 1st Central County Ground.

History-maker Alfie Pyle achieved every young cricketer’s dream in 2023, when he made his debut for the England Learning Disability team.

Alfie became the first every participant of the Lord’s Taverners Super 1s programme, held in Crawley, to go from a hub setting, through the county system and then on to represent England. 

Speaking on the report, Gary-Wallis-Tayler, Community Cricket Director, said: “I am proud of all our achievements during 2023, my team deserve huge credit for all their hard work and commitment, to growing the game across Sussex and making it accessible to all. 

We have much to look forward to during 2024 including, greater focus in Brighton & Hove through our Urban Cricket Plan, continuing our work with the LGBTQ+ community and continuing to strengthen our relationship with Brighton & Hove Albion Football Club as well as the wider Sussex community.

"A particular highlight this year will be our festival of Disability Cricket in May, where we will be running our annual DIScoverABILITY Day and hosting both our Sussex Sharks VI team and D40 team at The 1st Central County Ground, for what will be a spectacular weekend."

Ish Jalal, Chair, Sussex Cricket Foundation, added: “2023 has been one of the most successful years for the Foundation in delivering high quality and impactful projects and programmes that have made a positive change in people lives, many of these have been highlighted the report.

“Sussex cricket has a clear objective to be the most inclusive sports club in the country and the Foundation is playing a pivotal role in achieving this objective.”

To read about the growth of the game across Sussex, you can read the full Impact Report here: https://www.instantflipbook.com/flipbooks/cfa6b3615a/?page=1

Supporting the Sussex Cricket Foundation

There are many ways in which you can help to support the important work that the Sussex Cricket Foundation carries out. 

Your next opportunity is to support the Foundation is by attending the flagship fundraiser, ‘Where Cricket Meets…Michael Vaughan AND Phil Tufnell’.

There are a handful of tickets left to the event which will include plenty of stories and anecdotes from two England cricketing legends, plus a fantastic three-course lunch and plenty of ways to join in the fun and raise money along the way.

Full information on the event can be found here, as well as instructions on how to purchase your tickets. 

If anyone would like to learn more about the Sussex Cricket Foundation or support any of their initiatives, then please contact Community Cricket Director, Gary Wallis-Tayler on gary.wallis-tayler@sussexcricket.co.uk 

Sussex Cricket announces two-year partnership extension with award-winning local food brand Higgidy 

Sussex Cricket is delighted to announce a two-year extension with Shoreham-based, award-winning food brand, Higgidy. 

Delicious food brand, Higgidy, has been making great tasting food that’s packed full of top-notch ingredients since 2004, and are on a mission to bring innovation and great flavour to the pie, quiche and savoury snacks sector, whilst being kind to people and the planet. 

The new agreement represents an expansion on the previous partnership, with a selection of Higgidy’s pies and snacking products set to be sold to fans of Sussex in Greig’s Café. 

Lucky fans will be able get their hands on a range of ready to eat meat and veggie pies, as well as Snacking & Sharing packs that include products such as their Mini Muffins and Dinky Rolls. Higgidy will also have branding placements throughout Greig's Café to further increase their presence at The 1st Central County Ground. 

Speaking about the partnership, Higgidy, CEO, Rachel Kelley said: “We are delighted to be extending our partnership with Sussex Cricket, which we know will put our brand on the radar of more cricket fans.  Higgidy makes feel-good food, that provides big-flavoured, good-natured, crowd-pleasing meals to enjoy together, so this partnerships seems like the perfect fit.”

Lisa Hogan, Head of Commercial at Sussex Cricket, added: “Everyone at Sussex Cricket is delighted to have Higgidy on board for a further two years.

“The fact that they are a local, award-winning company means a lot to us and we are even more excited to be able to sell their amazing products in Greig’s Café to our fans on matchdays!”

To find out more about Higgidy and their products, visit: https://www.higgidy.co.uk/

Winter Watch: Robinson's runs help England

 to safety on day 1

In this week’s Winter Watch we reflect on Ollie Robinson’s return to the England Test side and we take a look at how Sharks captain, Tymal Mills is getting on in another franchise league. Plus, we have updates on the continued fantastic form of both Bertie Foreman and Cheteshwar Pujara.

Robinson’s runs close out day 1

Ollie Robinson made his first appearance for the England Test team today, on day one of the fourth Test between England and India. 

England had looked in trouble early on in the day, losing five wickets in the first session, however an impeccable century for Joe Root helped England to recover at stumps. 

But that century was aided by none other than Robinson himself. Robinson came to the crease with England on 245-7 and his unbeaten 31 runs from 60 balls allowed Root to make it over the line for his 30th Test century. 

Robinson and Root will begin day two of the fourth test tomorrow with England on 302-7.

Tymal takes wickets in Pakistan

Another busy winter continued for Sharks skipper Tymal Mills as he made the short hop from Abu Dhabi to Pakistan to once again take part in the Pakistan Super League.

The T20 tournament got underway last week and the ever-dependable strike bowler has once again been among the wickets for his side, Islamabad United, who are captained by Shadab Khan.

In his opening two appearances Mills took 3 wickets from 7.5 overs, with Islamabad United sitting third in the table after three games. 

Keep track of Tymal’s progress here.

Bertie stars for Manly Warringah

Bertie Foreman continues to go from strength to strength down under. Last week he picked up player of the week for a performance that triggered a collapse for his opponents.

From his 20.2 overs he took 4-39, taking him to 35 wickets this season in Grade 1 cricket. 

David Gransford from Manly Warringah CC, said: “Bertie has been outstanding for the club. We could not have asked for a better overseas player. Bought in to everything. Also an exceptional cricketer.”

19 First-class centuries for Puj

The evergreen Cheteshwar Pujara continues to do what he does best: scoring centuries and winning games of cricket. 

His 19th first-class century came in the Ranji Trophy last week, as his Saurashtra side beat Manipur by an innings and 243 runs to secure qualification into the next stage of the trophy.

Congratulations, Puj! #GOSBTS