Sharks vs Surrey: Match Report

Ruthless Surrey replaced Sussex Sharks at the top of the Vitality Blast South Group after a54 runs win at The 1st Central County Ground.

Sussex came into the contest on the back of a three-match winning streak including a 36-runs victory at the Kia Oval last week. 

But they never recovered after losing three wickets in the first four overs and were bowled out for 130 in 18.1 overs chasing 185 by a highly effective Surrey attack. 

Australian Spencer Johnson removed Harrison Ward and James Coles in the opening over of a quality new-ball spell and when Sean Abbott accounted for Daniel Hughes, who came into the contest with 224 runs in his previous five Blast games, Sussex were 24 for 3 and up against it. 

John Simpson made 25, Jack Carson 24 and Fynn Hudson-Prentice 23 but this was a reality check for Sussex against a Surrey team who have four wins and a tie from their first six matches. 

In front of a 4,800 full house Surrey had been put in and their 184 for 8 was dominated by Lawrie Evans’ 41 and Jamie Smith’s 45. It always looked a competitive score on a pitch at The 1st Central County Ground which offered movement for the seamers throughout.  

Evans took charge against his old county after Ollie Robinson had Dan Lawrence caught at short third off the fourth ball of the innings, sharing 67 in 37 balls alongside Dom Sibley with 19 runs coming off successive overs by Fynn Hudson-Prentice and Nathan McAndrew in a power play that yielded 66.

Both fell in successive overs with Evans held at deep backward-square in Sussex skipper Tymal Mills’ first over as three wickets fell in nine balls in the middle of the innings. 

Only 22 runs were scored between the eighth and 11th overs but Smith picked up the tempo again after Ollie Pope, who made an unbeaten 99 in a losing cause when the teams met last Friday, was caught behind for a duck attempting to ramp Robinson.

Smith and Rory Burns, deputising for Jason Roy who had a calf injury, put on 69 off 37 balls for the fifth wicket with Smith muscling the ball over the rope four times in his 45 from 28 deliveries before he was caught trying to clear long on. Danny Lamb, who mixed up his pace and lengths effectively, finished with 3 for 36.

Ward had made 68 on Friday in Sussex’ win over Essex but here he spliced a pull off the second ball of the match before Johnson bowled Coles through the gate with a nip-backer. When Hughes got a thin edge to Abbott’s lifter Surrey’s celebrations reflected the importance of his wicket.  

Simpson and Tom Alsop put on 32 but Gus Atkinson picked up Simpson with his second ball and Lawrence removed Alsop with his first. When Tom Curran struck off successive deliveries in his second over Sussex's race was run, although Robinson and Jack Carson at least added 34 for the ninth wicket to restrict the damage to their net run rate.

Report provided by ECB Reporters' Network 

Reaction from Sharks skipper Tymal Mills

Sharks vs Surrey: Match Preview

Tonight the Sharks welcome Surrey to The 1st Central County Ground, after a quick turnaround from last night's victory over Essex. Paul Farbrace has named an unchanged squad for the match. 

Squad

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

Last time out

The Sharks have already taken on Surrey in this year's competition, beating them by 36 runs at the Kia Oval on Friday 7th June. Dan Hughes' 65 and Tom Alsop's 68 helped the Sharks to a huge 213-7 from their 20 overs, before wickets from McAndrew, Lenham, Coles and Robinson ensured Surrey would not chase down the total. 

Can the Sharks repeat history tonight?

Managed to get a ticket?

Tonight's game against Surrey is officially SOLD OUT! If you managed to get a ticket, check out our Guide to the Game, for all the information you need to plan your evening.

Missed out?

You can catch all of the action, free of charge on our livestream via our Match Day Centre. The first ball is at 7pm.

Tickets for Sharks vs Kent selling FAST!

With tonight's game a sellout, we are seeing tickets selling even quicker for Thursday night's clash at The 1st Central County Ground with Kent.

Grab yours today via our ticketing website, to avoid disappointment. Don't forget, if you're coming as a group of 6 or more, you'll save 10% on your booking! 

Essex vs Sharks: Match Report

A masterful exhibition of stunning hitting from openers Harrison Ward and Daniel Hughes gave Sussex the platform to an eight-wicket victory with 26 balls to spare against an Essex team who had axed their Vitality Blast captain Simon Harmer.

The first-wicket pair put on 99 inside eight overs – including 32 from a Daniel Sams over – as 10 sixes rained down all around the Chelmsford ground. The Australian Hughes claimed four of them in his 18-ball 47, and Ward chipped in with three in his 68 from 36.

However, it was left to John Simpson to hit Luc Benkenstein for 10 off two balls in the 16th over to complete Sussex’s fourth success in five Blast matches this season.

In turn, Essex, put in, failed to post the sort of score that might have been expected after Dean Elgar (54) anchored two fifty-run stands with stand-in captain Adam Rossington and Michael Pepper. However, when Pepper was dismissed for a 26-ball 51, it precipitated a clatter of eight Essex wickets for 54 runs in 43 balls. They finished on a decidedly below-par 178-9.

Ward and Hughes went off like trains as they hammered eight fours in 11 balls from Shane Snater and Aaron Beard. It did not stop there. After Ben Allison arrested the onslaught with just five conceded off the fourth over, Sams was dumped for 644666 in an incredible over of power hitting from Hughes. At one stage the pair had hit 50 from nine balls.

Hughes had raced to 47 when he swept Matt Critchley into deep square-leg’s hands. By the halfway point, Sussex required just 50 runs more for a facile win, but they lost Ward, caught behind off Allison, the one bright spark with the ball on a dismal evening for the home team.

However, the pre-match news that Harmer – who would have been playing his 100th T20 game for Essex – had been omitted from the team, rested or dropped depending on who you asked, was almost as seismic as the on-field carnage if not totally surprising: he had not taken a wicket in Essex’s first five Blast games and contributed just 17 runs with the bat.

Rossington helped Elgar put on 50 for the first wicket inside six overs, though the captgain’s contribution was 16 from 11 balls before he got an inside edge as he attempted to swipe Ollie Robinson out of the ground.

Elgar had survived a drop at slip by Tom Alsop on nought, but while he outscored Rossington, he was comprehensively outgunned by Pepper for the second fifty stand of the innings. Pepper hammered 40 of those runs, including four sixes to different parts of the ground off the Sussex spin pair, Danny Lamb and James Coles.

Pepper reached his half-century from 24 but two balls later he lofted Nathan McAndrew to backward square leg to precipitate the collapse. McAndrew struck again when his next delivery had a bemused Jordan Cox bowled. 

Paul Walter became a third wicket in five balls as he advanced down the wicket against Jack Carson and was stumped. Elgar reached his fifty with a straight six, but again fell almost immediately, lobbing Coles tamely to mid-on.

The earlier onslaught became a distant memory as Matt Critchley swished at Coles and was bowled, Daniel Sams departed to a catch at deep square leg, giving McAndrew (3-33) another wicket, and Luc Benkenstein attempted a reverse sweep and lost his off-stump the ball after hitting Robinson for six over midwicket. Carson took a third catch in the match, dismissing Snater at deep mid-on.

Report provided by ECB Reporters' Network

Reaction from Harrison Ward after his match-winning 68 runs from 36 deliveries 

Danni Wyatt Selected for England ODI Squad

Sussex batter Danni Wyatt has been selected for the England Women's ODI squad for the upcoming series against New Zealand. Congratulations, Danni! #GOSBTS

England Women name ODI squad for New Zealand series

England Women have named their squad for the Metro Bank One Day International series against New Zealand.

Heather Knight’s outfit take on the White Ferns in Durham (26 June), Worcester (30 June) and Bristol (3 July).

There is a return for South East Stars’ Sophia Dunkley; the opener has featured in all but one of her region’s Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy matches in the 2024 season to date.

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

Head coach Jon Lewis said: “We have named the same squad who finished the recent series against Pakistan. I felt we played some solid 50-over cricket in that series and have had excellent results over the past 18 months.

“We welcomed Sophia Dunkley back into the squad at the end of the Pakistan series as her performance across the domestic game has been outstanding and she earned the right to be back in this squad through performance."

England Women ODI squad to take on New Zealand
Tammy Beaumont (The Blaze)
Lauren Bell (Southern Vipers)
Maia Bouchier (Southern Vipers)
Alice Capsey (South East Stars)
Kate Cross (Thunder)
Charlie Dean (Southern Vipers)
Sophia Dunkley (South East Stars)
Sophie Ecclestone (Thunder)
Lauren Filer (Western Storm)
Sarah Glenn (The Blaze)
Amy Jones (Central Sparks)
Heather Knight (captain; Western Storm)
Nat Sciver-Brunt (The Blaze)
Danielle Wyatt (Southern Vipers)

Sharks vs Surrey: SOLD OUT

We are delighted to confirm that Sharks vs Surrey tomorrow is a SELLOUT! Thank you for your amazing support, we can't wait to welcome you to The 1st Central County Ground for another night of Blast cricket. Missed out? There is one way to still get yourself to tomorrow's match...

Curry and Cricket Packages Still Available

The only way to be at the match is to book one of our very limited remaining places on our Curry & Cricket hospitality package by 4pm today. Click here to book your spot before it is too late!

Show Your Support for the Sharks on Thursday 20th Against Kent

Missed out on tickets? Don't worry, we still have tickets available for the next Blast game at The 1st Central County Ground on Thursday 20th June. 

Come and show your support for the Sharks next Thursday under the lights. Tickets are available to purchase now through our ticketing website.

Thanks again for your incredible support. #SharkAttack

Essex vs Sharks: Match Preview

The Sharks travel to Chelmsford tomorrow night as they return to Blast action in fine form. Paul Farbrace has named a 15-player squad for the game.

Squad

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

How to Watch

You can watch every single ball of the action, free of charge with our livestream on the Match Centre. The first ball is at 7:00pm.

Grab Your Blast Tickets Today

The Sharks return to The 1st Central County Ground on Saturday 15th June to take on Surrey in the rematch, following the Sharks' victory at The Kia Oval last week.

Join us for a night of fantastic live music, great food and high-octane world-class T20 cricket. 

Beat the on-the-door price for Sharks vs Surrey by buying your ticket online.

P.S Don't forget, groups of 6 or more get a 10% discount of all tickets. See you Saturday!

London Metro vs Sussex Sharks VI: Sharks Ease into Semi-Finals

After lifting the delayed 2023 Primary Club cup just 4  weeks earlier Sussex travelled to London Metro  in the quarter-finals of this years competition. 

After unavailability had seen the Sharks reach deep into their squad in recent weeks they were able to select the same side that lifted the trophy at The 1st Central County Ground. 

After Skipper Dan Field called correctly Sharks had no hesitation in inserting their hosts as a shower just before the toss looked like it might have livened up a  very turgid looking pitch.

Metro started watchfully  as the sharks bowled tight lines, former England Captain Matt dean fell to a catch from totally blind Dave Daniels off the bowling of his Son Phil Daniels (2 wickets for 8 runs). 

Dave then came on as first change and bowled miserly with just 13 runs coming off his 6 overs and picking up a wicket.

Ian 'Tiny' Morris supported ably with 2 for 35 off 5  and at the halfway point Metro were on 66 for 3  off 15 overs. 

Thomas Froud (28) looked to try and accelerate the scoring for Metro but Alex Towers(2  for 16) , Marcus Kipling (1 for 23) and Joe Harrison (2 for 6) kept the pressure up and Metro looked short of par when their innings closed on 106 all out in the 28th over.

 Metro’s express paceman Mo Gallib 2 for 20 off 6 overs opened the bowling and dismissed both openers but in their search for wickets Metro bowled him through as Sussex just looked to block out his spell. 

Si Ledwith fell to a  spectacular catch from totally blind Rob McKenzie who held a full blooded pull  from point blank range. 

With the Sharks three down this was the last success for Metro as a watchful Dan Field (31) not-out and Joe Harrison (27) not-out knocked the ball around to take the sharks over the line with 12 overs to spare.

Sussex now face the trip to the West Country to face Somerset in the semi-final, whilst on the other side of the draw beaten finalists Northants will host 2nd division Kent in the other semi.

Sussex Women Return to The 1st Central County Ground 

This Sunday 16th June the Sussex Women return to play at The 1st Central County Ground in two T20 matches against Kent and Surrey, with entry free of charge for all supporters. Kent will also take on Surrey, giving supporters the chance to watch three matches in one day.

Current champions Sussex will be back at Hove once again defending their T20 crown and will begin the day taking on Kent. Kent will then face Surrey, before Sussex close out the day with a match against Surrey.

Schedule | Sunday 16th June

Sussex vs Kent | 10:30am Start

Surrey vs Kent | 1:30pm Start

Sussex vs Surrey | 4:30pm Start

Ticket Information

Tickets are free of charge for all supporters. Tickets must be claimed in advance online, by clicking here. 

Photo credit: Saud Ahmed

Gloucestershire vs Sharks: Match Report

Dan Hughes and James Coles registered brutal half centuries as Sussex Sharks completed a Vitality Blast double over South Group rivals Gloucestershire, winning a one-sided contest by 48 runs at the Seat Unique Stadium.

Australian Hughes top-scored with a blistering 65 off 37 balls, while Coles contributed 54 from 33 deliveries in a match-winning third-wicket stand of 113 as the visitors ran up an imposing 208-6 after being put into bat.

Only Josh Shaw and David Payne, who claimed 3-27 and 1-21 respectively, avoided severe punishment as Sussex mustered an impressive combined tally of 8 sixes and 22 fours in a fearsome display of big-hitting.

Gloucestershire never really threatened to come close, Cameron Bancroft top-scoring with 42 in a reply that came up well short at 160-8 in the face of disciplined bowling from seamers Ollie Robinson, Fynn Hudson-Prentice and Tymal Mills as Sharks made it three wins in four games. 

Beaten in their last three outings, Gloucestershire are now off the pace and under pressure to achieve an unlikely win when they resume their campaign against leaders Surrey at The Oval on Friday.

Gloucestershire's preference is to chase on the pitches at Bristol and Jack Taylor's decision to bowl first paid early dividends as Sussex slipped to 16-2. 

Harrison Ward was brilliantly held by Ajeet Singh Dale in the deep to provide Payne with his ninth wicket of the short-format campaign, while Shaw marked his first appearance of the season with a superb yorker to pin Oli Carter in the crease.

Hughes carried the fight to Gloucestershire thereafter, the Australian combining immaculate timing and impressive power to find the boundary on five occasions during a powerplay that yielded 45 runs. 

With Coles initially adopting a supporting role, Hughes continued to blaze away, the New South Wales opener cashing in mercilessly when afforded width as Sharks reached 85-2 at halfway. 

Coles then went into attack mode, hoisting Ollie Price's off spin over deep square leg for the first six of the innings and then repeating the shot for four as the eleventh over leaked 19 runs. 

Following up his half century made against Surrey at The Oval two days earlier, Hughes went to his latest 50 from 31 balls, slog-sweeping fellow Australian Beau Webster for a huge six to bring up that landmark. 

Shaw returned to bowl Hughes in the thirteenth, at which point the left-hander had harvested 10 fours and a brace of sixes in a murderous innings that propelled Sussex to 129-3.

Having played second fiddle in an exhilarating stand of 113 in 10.2 overs, Coles joined forces with Tom Alsop to ensure there was no respite for Gloucestershire's beleaguered bowlers. 

Coles needed just 28 balls to raise 50, but then drilled a delivery from Graeme van Buuren straight to extra cover and departed with the score on 150.

Hudson-Prentice was run out by Miles Hammond and Shaw trapped John Simpson with an in-swinging yorker as Gloucestershire tried to reassert themselves, but powerful late hitting from Alsop and Nathan McAndrew, who staged a whirlwind unbroken stand of 37 in 14 balls, including 29 off the final over from Singh Dale, carried the Sharks out of sight.

Gloucestershire's cause was not helped by Robinson, the England paceman conceding just 11 runs in three overs with the new ball and having Hammond caught at extra cover for 29 as the home side posted 47-1 in the powerplay. 

Hudson-Prentice then bowled James Bracey in the next over and, when slow left armer Coles made a mess of Webster's stumps in the tenth, Gloucestershire were 69-3 and in need of something special.

Skipper Taylor did his level best to meet the demands of the day, smiting 2 sixes and a four in one over from Coles that cost 19 runs. He had raised 27 from 13 balls and dominated a stand of 40 with Bancroft when he hoisted Hudson-Prentice to long-on in the fourteenth. 

Bancroft had advanced to 42 via 32 balls when he was run out by the ubiquitous Robinson later in the same over, after which van Buuren and Charlesworth departed without making an impact as Gloucestershire subsided to 124-7.

Desperate to prove a point after being left out for the last game, Price mustered an unbeaten 29 from 17 balls, but it was too little too late.  

Report Provided by ECB Reporters' Network

Photo credit: https://www.robertstephensonphotography.co.uk/ 

Reaction from James Coles after his half-century and another Sharks win

Gloucestershire vs Sharks: Match Preview

After a sensational win at the Kia Oval against Surrey last night, the Sharks are in action again tomorrow away to Gloucestershire, with the game starting at 2:30pm. Head Coach Paul Farbrace has named an unchanged squad for the game. 

Squad

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

How to Watch

You can watch every single ball of the action, free of charge with our livestream on the Match Centre. The first ball is at 2:30pm. 

Grab Your Blast Tickets Today

The Sharks return to The 1st Central County Ground on Saturday 15th June to take on Surrey in the rematch!

Join us for a night of fantastic live music, great food and high-octane world-class T20 cricket. 

Beat the on-the-door price for Sharks vs Surrey by buying your ticket online.

P.S Don't forget, groups of 6 or more get a 10% discount of all tickets. See you Saturday!