Sussex Sharks fast-bowler and all-time T20 leading wicket-taker, Tymal Mills, has been selected for the England Men's IT20 series against the West Indies next month.

England Men will take on West Indies in both 50-overs and IT20 matches, with Tymal selected for the IT20 squad, which will play a five-match series beginning on 12th December in Antigua.

England IT20 Squad

Jos Buttler (captain – Lancashire)
Rehan Ahmed (Leicestershire)
Moeen Ali (Warwickshire)
Gus Atkinson (Surrey)
Harry Brook (Yorkshire)
Sam Curran (Surrey)
Ben Duckett (Nottinghamshire)
Will Jacks (Surrey)
Liam Livingstone (Lancashire)
Tymal Mills (Sussex)
Adil Rashid (Yorkshire)
Phil Salt (Lancashire)
Josh Tongue (Nottinghamshire)
Reece Topley (Surrey)
John Turner (Hampshire)
Chris Woakes (Warwickshire)

England Mens IT20 Schedule

1st T20I: West Indies v England - 12 December, Kensington Oval, Barbados
2nd T20I: West Indies v England - 14 December, Grenada National Stadium, Grenada
3rd T20I: West Indies v England - 16 December, Grenada National Stadium, Grenada
4th T20I: West Indies v England - 19 December, Brian Lara Cricket Academy, Trinidad
5th  T20I: West Indies v England - 21 December, Brian Lara Cricket Academy, Trinidad

Congratulations, T! #GOSBTS

Sussex's Oli Carter made his fourth half-century of the winter for his Australian Club, Newcastle City, as they lifted the 50-over Tom Locker trophy on Sunday.

Carter, who also captains the side, made 65 runs from 74 deliveries as he side successfully chased down a target of 194 runs, set by Wallsend. 

After winning the toss, Carter put his opponents into bat and his decision was justified. Newcastle City bowled out Wallsend in just 40 overs and made light work of the chase, reaching the 194 runs needed to win in just 33.2 overs. 

You can view the full scorecard from the game by clicking here. 

Congratulations, Oli! #GOSBTS

In this week's Winter Watch roundup Oli Carter's latest round of games for Newcastle City in Australia, as he made another half-century to take them to a One Day Cup final, as well as news of plenty of wickets for Bertie Foreman. 

Sussex wicket-keeper batter Carter was named captain of Newcastle City Cricket Club this season and has responded with three half-centuries, as well as guiding them to a cup final, which takes place this Sunday. 

His unbeaten 63 from 56 balls was his third half-century of the season, helping his side to an eight-wicket victory in their final pool game, ensuring their place in the Tom Locker Final this weekend. 

After the completion of the one-day games, Oli is sitting 3rd on the overall run scorer table for the NDCA Competition on 203 runs @ 67.67. 

Bertie Foreman among the wickets

Sussex spinner Bertie Foreman is the second player from the Men's team to take the trip down under this winter and he hasn't wasted any time finding his form. 

In his last four matches, Bertie has taken a total of 11 wickets. Check out his figures here:

10 overs 3-12  vs Sydney (50 over)

28 overs 3-128 vs Gordon (red ball)

19 overs 1-22 vs Hawkesbury (red ball)

10 overs 4-28 vs Uni of New South Wales (50 over)

Next week in Winter Watch

In next week's Winter Watch we will bring you a round-up of all the action from the Women's Big Bash League, which has seen Georgia Adams, Lynsey Smith and Nicole Faltum among the runs and wickets in the Australian T20 competition. 

Image credit: Jonathon Carrol

On Saturday 4th November the Sussex Cricket Foundation welcomed staff and sponsors from local hospice charity Martlets to The 1st Central County Ground for a night of spectacular fireworks, to celebrate a partnership which has raised vital funds for both organisations.

The partnership kicked off back in September 2023 when The 1st Central County Ground became home to Shaun’s Neon Car Wash.

The home of the Sussex Sharks was one of 40 locations across Brighton and Hove that had its own individually designed sheep, which was part of the Shaun the Sheep Art Trail.

With the sheep now set to depart from the ground before being auctioned off at the end of the month for vital funds, Martlets staff and supporters were invited to Fireworks Night at Sussex to celebrate the partnership and thank those who do so much for hospice care in our city.

The Shaun by the Sea Sponsors and Hospice staff were treated to a VIP reception and enjoyed food and drinks in a private hospitality area for the display.

Speaking on a special night, Tanya Hunt, Income Generation Director from Martlets said: “It was a brilliant way to mark the end of our Shaun by the Sea Trail, and the fantastic partnership we have built with all at Sussex Cricket Foundation.

“If you have missed seeing Shaun’s Neon Car Wash at the County Ground, there’s still time to see all the Shauns at our Farewell Event 24 – 26 November at Brighton Centre.”

Gary Wallis-Tayler, Community Cricket Director for the Sussex Cricket Foundation added: “We have been delighted to support Martlets and their Shaun by the Sea Trail over the last few months.

“Not only has it driven visitors to The 1st Central County Ground but is also helped build a long-lasting relationship between the Foundation and the team at Martlets, who do an amazing job in providing care for the terminally ill.

“Supporting our local community is extremely important to us and I hope Martlets raise plenty of money at their ‘farewell event’ later this month.”

Make sure you take your selfies with our Shaun, upload them to social media and tag @SussexCricketFd and @martletshospice to be in with a chance of winning a T20 Sussex Sharks shirt, signed by the entire team!

You can find out more about Martlets by visiting their website.

And to find out more about the Sussex Cricket Foundation, please click here.

Sussex Cricket can confirm that the ECB Integrity Team has concluded its investigation into Ari Karvelas following the LV= Insurance County Championship match against Leicestershire on September 13th.

The ECB Integrity Team has confirmed that there has not been a breach of the ECB Regulations and therefore, no further action will be taken. The Club now considers this matter closed and will not comment further.

Sussex Women's Mary Taylor has earned her first professional contract with the Southern Vipers. The 19-year-old seamer has signed a deal that will see her remain a Vipers player until at least 2024. 

She made her debut in the 2022 Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy, where she took 2-22 against South East Stars in the Eliminator at Beckenham, before being a regular in the first XI in 2023.

The now 19-year-old took 16 wickets across 17 matches in 2023, with a best of 4-39 coming against Thunder at Arundel Castle.

Mary told the Ageas Bowl website: "I am delighted to be offered my first full contract with the vipers and I’m excited to continue my cricket development as a part of the Southern Vipers family.

"I’ve thoroughly enjoyed my first full season as part of the senior Vipers squad and pleased that I helped contribute to some silverware along the way."

Mary joins fellow Sussex players; Georgia Adams, Georgia Elwiss, Linsey Smith, Freya Kemp and Danni Wyatt in the Vipers squad. 

Congratulations, Mary! 

Sussex Cricket is saddened to learn of the death of former Chairman of the Sussex County Cricket Club, Ken Hopkins | 27 September 1933 - 1 November 2023

Ken was a passionate and enthusiastic supporter of Sussex Cricket and will be sadly missed.

Our thoughts are with his wife Joan and the rest of his family at this very sad time.

Ken, pictured with his wife, Joan at the Kia Oval.

Sussex D40 batter Alfie Pyle has won the 2023 Variety Disability Sports Awards Rising Star award, capping off a remarkable breakthrough season in disability cricket.

 Crawley-born Alfie, 20, who was called up to the England Men’s LD side this April, got his first taste of cricket as one of the very early participants in the Lord’s Taverners Super 1s programme, which offers cricket coaching to young children with disabilities across the country. He has since risen through the ranks to represent Sussex in D40 cricket and featured for Disability Premier League champions Hawks in this summer’s tournament.

 Alfie – who was presented with the award at star-studded event hosted by the Variety Club children’s charity – has continued his association with the Lord’s Taverners as a Super 1s coach, and was over-the-moon to be recognised for his achievements:

 “I’m really happy to have won this award; I didn’t think I was going to win so when they said my name and everyone clapped, it was a great feeling.

 “I’ve had a great first year in the England squad and am really enjoying my cricket at the moment. There were times in my life growing up when the bullying I experienced made things difficult – but now, to be playing with my friends, representing my country – I’m loving every minute.

 “The role that Variety plays supporting young disabled athletes is vital. Whether you end up loving sport or not, it’s great to give children the opportunity to give it a go and see where it might lead.”

 Alfie travels to South Africa this weekend with the England Men’s LD side, who will face-off against the Proteas and Australia in a tri-series in Pretoria. You can keep up to date with the series across the ECB’s channels throughout November.

 Interested in playing disability cricket? Find out about the playing opportunities in your area for both adults and children on the Sussex Cricket Foundation's website.

On Friday 20th October, a squad of 8 players from the Sussex Cricket Foundation Walking Cricket Hubs from across the county participated in a newly formed Walking Cricket tournament held at Lord's.

Taking place in the Indoor Cricket Centre, Sussex played 5 matches during the day against teams from the MCC, Epsom, Old Woking CC & Pirbright CC and Notts CCC.

Walking Cricket is a very sociable format of the game and although it was first time that the players had played together as a squad it didn’t take them long to form a great team spirit ready to take on the challenge ahead.

The newly appointed Sussex Cricket Walking Captain Baz Weston lead his team out onto the hallowed astroturf of the Indoor Cricket Centre for the first time against an experienced Epsom side and Sussex narrowly lost by 11 runs.  

Across the first round of matches it was opportunity for all participants to get any nerves and excitement out the way playing at such an historic and iconic venue.

After a quick post-game debrief with his players, Baz and the team agreed specific tactics for the remaining games and the plan to keep the batting order the same so players felt familiar in their roles definitely paid off.

During the course of the next match against an MCC side the batting was very consistent with the approach remaining the same which was to build partnerships with each pair, hit the bat into gaps along the floor and to loose as few wickets as possible.

Victory was followed by a famous Lords buffet lunch which was very kindly provided for players and umpires by the hosts the MCC. With an extra spring in their step Sussex put in strong performances and had wins against OWCC/PCC and another MCC team meant a final round match against unbeaten tournament leaders Notts CCC would determine the overall winners.

In the last game Notts CCC batted first and put on a commanding score due to some smart and powerful batting. In the field Sussex gave a good account of themselves with some tidy ground fielding.

Mick Millyard’s spectacular catch in the deep was one of the many highlights from the day and it was appreciated by all the spectators on the viewing balcony above!

Thanks to their efforts in the field, Sussex managed to stay within chasing distance of Notts CCC at the half way stage of the game, however a strong first over from the Notts CCC opening bowler taking the wicket of Clive Hayton put Sussex on the back foot.

Having travelled down 4 hours by Minibus on the morning of the tournament demonstrated Notts CCC enthusiasm for their Walking Cricket and they bowled and fielded with plenty of energy which include 3 direct hit run outs by the same fielder.

Although Sussex showed glimpses of the form that proved successful in earlier matches, Notts CCC managed to restrict Sussex to win the game and remain unbeaten throughout the day.

After a short presentation during which Notts CCC were crowned champions, Harry Thompson (MCC Community Coach and tournament organiser) took all the players on a guided Stadium Tour of Lords which included many of the famous locations including home and away changing rooms, the Long Room and the Media Centre.

Overall Sussex won 3 out of 5 games during the day scoring a total of 431 runs but more importantly a great day was had by all the players and  with plenty of memories and friends made along the way!

Many thanks to Harry Thompson and the MCC for hosting the tournament.

More information on how to join our Walking Cricket Hubs across Sussex can be found on our website.