It was a low scoring thriller at Hove last night that ultimately ended in defeat for the Sharks as Kent Spitfires prevailed.

Despite falling out of the top four, the Sharks' hopes of qualifying for the Quarter Finals remain very much alive. Paul Farbrace's side are level on points with, and have a game in hand over South Coast rivals Hampshire. The Hawks face third-place Glamorgan this evening (Thursday), in what is another crucial fixture as we enter the business end of the group stage.

The Sharks now face three away fixtures on the spin, starting tomorrow night at Essex, where a win could see them jump back into the top four.

Team News

Paul Farbrace has named a 14-player squad for tomorrow's trip to Chelmsford:

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

The Opposition

It has been a disappointing campaign for the 2019 champions Essex, who sit bottom of the South Group with three games to play.

They earned four points for the first time on Sunday, beating Surrey by four wickets at The Kia Oval. Their other two points were picked up in the reverse fixture at Hove, where the match was abandoned 19 balls into the second innings. An unfortunate outcome for Essex on that occasion, who looked on course for victory.

Start Time

Tomorrow's match will commence at 7pm.

How to Watch

You will be able to watch every ball, free of charge, of the Essex clash via our Match Day Centre. You will need to register for a free account to access the stream, statistics, replays and live scorecard. You can find information on how to register here.

Ticket Information

Tickets for tomorrow night's match at Chelmsford have sold out. Please do not travel if you do not have a ticket.

Danial Ibrahim Signs Contract Extension with Sussex

Sussex Cricket is thrilled to announce that all-rounder Danial Ibrahim has signed a contract extension, committing his future to the Club until at least the end of the 2027 season.

Ibrahim burst onto the scene in spectacular fashion, making history at just 16 years and 299 days old when he became the youngest player to score a half-century in the County Championship.

His landmark innings came on debut at Headingley against Yorkshire, where he also became the second-youngest debutant in Sussex’s history. He went on to record three half-centuries during that impressive breakthrough season.

In recent months, Ibrahim’s strong performances for the Sussex Second XI earned him a well-deserved return to the First Team. 

Seizing the opportunity, he delivered a career-best 121 not out during Sussex’s County Championship Division One clash with Durham—an innings that proved crucial in securing a hard-fought draw against a high-quality bowling attack.

Speaking on his new deal, Ibrahim said: “I am absolutely delighted to sign an extension with Sussex. 

"The Club is heading in an exciting direction and I can’t wait to hopefully contribute to more wins and hopefully some more trophies.”

Sussex Cricket’s Director of Cricket, Paul Farbrace, added: “We are thrilled that Dan has signed an extension with the Club, he is such a talented player and has shown this season how he has taken his whole game to a new level. 

"Dan has thoroughly deserved his opportunity in the County Championship team for the last two games, and to see how everyone enjoyed his hundred at Durham proved how popular he is around the Club. 

"It is a great example for any young cricketer, work hard, bash the door down in second team cricket and opportunities will come your way. ”

Joey Evison was Kent’s hero with a thumping 48 off 24 balls as the Spitfires kept their hopes of qualifying for the knockout stages of the Vitality Blast alive with a two-wicket win with three balls to spare over Sussex Sharks in a low-scoring thriller at Hove.

Chasing 149, Kent were struggling on 112 for eight after Tymal Mills picked up two wickets in three balls in the 16th over. But Evison, who had already hit James Coles’ left-arm spin for successive sixes, helped Fred Klaassen take 17 off the 17th over from Ollie Robinson including another six before clearing the rope with a straight hit off Tymal Mills in the 18th.

That left Kent needing 12 from the last two and five off the final over and it was fitting that Evison hit the winning runs when he drove Danny Lamb to the extra cover boundary.

The hosts could have gone second but instead a second successive defeat at the 1st Central County Ground has left them with work to do to finish in the top four with Kent and Hampshire Hawks joining them on 22 points in a congested top half of the table.

Kent did well to bowl Sussex out for 148 off the penultimate ball on a sluggish pitch which the Sharks’ batters struggled to master.

Nathan Gilchrist led the way with a career-best 4 for 42 including two wickets off successive balls in the 10th over from which Sussex never recovered despite a cameo of 27 from 14 balls at the end by Robinson.

Gilchrist had already picked up Daniel Hughes (14) to a catch at deep mid-wicket in his first over, one of two wickets to fall in a powerplay which ended with Sussex 38 for two.

James Coles and Tom Clark led a recovery with 49 from 28 balls before Gilchrist struck his double blow. Coles lost his leg stump going too far across and Tom Alsop got a leading edge to cover first ball. Gilchrist nearly had a hat-trick but could only get fingertips to John Simpson’s straight drive.

Kent turned the screw with only 17 runs coming in the next five overs, a fine effort by their attack considering opening bowler Tom Rogers could only bowl two overs before going off with a shoulder injury.

From 109 for five Sussex lost their last five wickets in 25 balls and were indebted to Robinson’s unorthodox but highly effective hitting at the end, which included three boundaries in Gilchrist’s final over to at least give him and the rest of the Sussex attack something to defend.

Kent lost three wickets in the power play and Robinson looked as if he had put Sussex in control, though not for once with the ball. He ran out Joe Denly with a direct hit on the run and Bell-Drummond, who was beaten by his accurate throw from the deep coming back for a risky second, after making 47 off 36 balls.

Bell-Drummond’s departure left Kent 88 for six in the 14th over and when Mills plucked out Jack Leaning’s middle stump with a yorker and bowled Tom Rogers his side were in control – but Evison had other ideas. 

By ECB Reporters Network, supported by Rothesay 

Sussex Cricket Foundation Joins National Push to Transform State School Cricket with Knight-Stokes Cup

The Sussex Cricket Foundation has announced its full support for the newly launched Knight-Stokes Cup, a nationwide cricket competition aimed at transforming opportunities for students in state secondary schools.

Community Cricket Director, Gary Wallis-Tayler, represented Sussex at the official launch event, joining a guest panel that included former England captain Michael Vaughan, ex-England international Sajid Mahmood, and Charlotte Gallegher, Director of Sport at a secondary school in Surrey. The event, hosted by the Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC), marked a significant step forward in levelling the playing field in school cricket across the country.

As part of its commitment to this initiative, the Sussex Cricket Foundation will deliver local competitions for U15 boys and girls beginning in 2026. These local rounds will feed into regional and national stages, with the ultimate prize being a spot in the national finals—set to be held at Lord’s Cricket Ground, the historic home of cricket, in September 2026.

Entries for the Knight-Stokes Cup are now open, and the Foundation is encouraging all secondary schools across Sussex to register their interest via the official entry link.

“This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for state school students to play at Lord’s,” said Gary Wallis-Tayler. “I am delighted to support this new initiative for secondary schools. The Knight-Stokes Cup is more than a competition—it’s a movement to change the landscape of school cricket. I was honoured to be invited by the MCC to join the launch panel and to share the incredible work we are already doing, as well as details of an exciting new project launching this September.”

The Knight-Stokes Cup will become a key component in the Sussex Cricket Foundation’s broader 2026 school competition structure and its long-term vision to make cricket accessible and inclusive for all young people, regardless of background.

For schools eager to take part, now is the time to get involved and be part of a competition that could shape the future of cricket in state schools across the UK.

All state schools are invited to enter the competition online now at lords.org/knightstokescup.

To find out more about the Sussex Cricket Foundation and information on how to get involved, please visit: https://sussexcricket.co.uk/sussex-cricket-foundation

Sharks vs Kent: Guide to the Game

The Blast is back at The 1st Central County Ground tonight, with the Men's team taking on Kent under the lights! To help you plan your evening with us, we've created a Guide to the Game with all the info you need ahead of your trip to Hove.

From information on when to arrive, to what you can and can't bring into the game, plus the squad list and more, our Guide to the Game is a must-read before you head to the ground. Read the Guide to Game.

Ticket Information

Tickets are still available to purchase for the game and we highly recommend you act quickly to book your tickets before making your way to the game. Plus, if you fancy a cheeky upgrade, why not check out our new Silly Point Pub package.

Want to know more? Head to our Blast is Back page to explore your ticketing options for tonight! 

Sixes Social Cricket

If you've been to the ground recently you may have noticed our very own Sixes Social Cricket bar. If you haven't, then where have you been?! 

Our Sixes Social Cricket Bar will open for the duration of the match. Full to the brim with fantastic food and drink to fuel you up with the net session of your dreams. Take on the Sussex Sharks stars and test your six-hitting skills.

Head to the bar, located behind the Webtrends Optimize Sharks Stand tomorrow to book your net. 

Plus, if you fancy a cheeky drink after the game, Sixes will remain open until 1030pm.

Don't Forget to Bring Your 1st Central Hair Headband!

Sussex Cricket and 1st Central have teamed up to give Sharks fans who re-use their 1st Central Hairy Headbands at a Blast game the chance to win a mystery prize!

As Sharks fans will know, we have been giving out free 1st Central Hairy Headbands at Blast games for the past few seasons, and in the spirit of sustainability, we have partnered with 1st Central to incentivise supporters to re-use their Hairy Headbands at future games.

Tonight at The 1st Central County Ground, fans who arrive with their headbands at the gate will be given a free raffle ticket and the chance to win a mystery prize. 

Fans who attend games will still be able to pick up headbands free of charge and will also be able to give a small donation, if possible, to the Sussex Cricket Foundation.

Sensory, Inclusion and Quiet Room

Sussex is proud to have opened its very own Sensory, Inclusion and Quiet Room. Our Sensory Room is a safe and relaxed environment where supporters who may need time away from the main seating areas to enjoy the game from. If you feel you may require this service, please approach a member of staff tonight. 

It's an old rivalry that returns for its next instalment. Later this evening on a glorious summer's day Sussex welcome Kent to Hove with plenty riding on it. Victory for the Sharks this evening would go a long way in setting up a quarter final fixture, whilst Kent remain just a single win away from being back in the thick of it.

Since the white ball returned last week, the Sharks' two matches have gone in somewhat different directions. It saw the reverse fixture, where Sussex comfortably took down the Spitfires, before Hampshire rolled into Hove and took all four points. 

Team News

Paul Farbrace has named a 16-player squad for tonight's match:

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

The Opposition

After a promising start to the campaign the T20 season has started to slip a touch for Adam Hollioake's Spitfires after defeats in their previous two matches leave them with work to do if they are to qualify for a top four spot. 

Still, though, they remain just four points and one victory shy of that coveted fourth spot, but heavy defeats against Sussex and Glamorgan in quick succession means performances will need to be better if they are to qualify.

It's been a fabulous campaign for Tawanda Muyeye and Daniel Bell-Drummond. The Kent openers are the only two batters in the competition to have scored centuries, and their runs (676 in total) have been pivotal in ensuring that they are still in with a chance of making a quarter final.

Start Time

Today's match will commence at 7pm, with gates opening at 5.30pm.

How to Watch

You will be able to watch every ball, free of charge, via our Match Day Centre. You will need to register for a free account to access the stream, statistics, replays and live scorecard. You can find information on how to register here.

Our hosting of Kent this evening will also be shown live on Sky Sports+.

Ticket Information

There is still time to get your tickets for today's action and we have a range of products for you to choose from. From our new exclusive Silly Point Pub, to Curry and Cricket packages, there is something for everyone! Head to our Blast is Back homepage to explore your options and get your tickets.

Sussex Sign Dom Goodman from Gloucestershire 

Sussex Cricket is pleased to announce the signing of pace bowler Dom Goodman from Gloucestershire on a three-year contract.

The 24-year-old right-arm seamer will officially join Sussex on 1st November 2025.

Born in Ashford, Kent, Goodman made his First-Class debut for Gloucestershire in 2021. Since then, he has featured in 16 First-Class matches, claiming 37 wickets at an average of 32.64. 

His standout performance came in April this year against Leicestershire, where he took match figures of 9 for 87.

Speaking on the signing, Sussex’s Director of Cricket, Paul Farbrace, said: “We are delighted that Dom has agreed to join us at Hove, as we see him as a real talent and someone that we think has a high ceiling in the game. 

“He is a very talented bowler and will be a great fit for us as a club both on and off the field. Dom has been so impressive to speak to during the recruitment process. 

“Dom has a very clear aim and plan as to how he wants to develop his game, and we have the right environment and coaching structure to work with him to help him achieve his goals, and for us to keep improving as a team and a club.

On moving to Hove, Goodman, said: “I'm incredibly excited to be joining Sussex next year. I was very impressed after chatting to the coaching staff, and it feels like the perfect place to continue my career. 

“I’ve enjoyed playing at Hove recently, and the strategic approach to winning games and how I fit into that is an awesome prospect. 

“I’ve admired Sussex’s recent performances in all formats, and I hope to help the side to further success. 

“The prospect of getting to know new teammates is exciting, and I can’t wait to get started.”

Sussex Cricket Society: Coach Travel to One Day Cup Match

The Sussex Cricket Society will be running a coach trip to the away One Day Cup match against Northamptonshire on Sunday 17th August.

The coach will be leaving The 1st Central County Ground at 7am and there will be free parking at Hove for the day for those that need it. 

Northants have kindly given the Sussex Cricket Society free match tickets for the match. The total cost will be £40 a head, which will purely cover the cost of transport. 

If you would like to join us, please email richardlintott@sky.com and pay the money to the Sussex Cricket Society bank account of the same name. Sort code 60-13-09 and account number 57843570 and very important, put your name in the reference. 

Closing date for applications will be Friday 1st August 

Sharks Double Header: Guide to the Game

The Blast is back at The 1st Central County Ground today, with a special double header! To help you plan your day and night with us, we've created a Guide to the Game, with all the info you need ahead of your trip to Hove.

From information on when to arrive, to what you can and catch bring into the game, plus the squad lists for both teams and more, our Guide to the Game is a must-read before you head to the ground. Read the Guide to Game.

Ticket Information

Tickets are still available to purchase for the game, we highly recommend you act quickly and book your tickets before making your way to the game. Plus, if you fancy a cheeky upgrade, why not check out our new Silly Point Pub package.

Want to know more? Head to our Blast is Back page to explore your ticketing options for tonight! 

Sixes Social Cricket

If you've been to the ground recently you may have noticed our very own Sixes Social Cricket bar. If you haven't, then where have you been?! 

Our Sixes Social Cricket Bar will open for the duration of the match. Full to the brim with fantastic food and drink to fuel you up with the net session of your dreams. Take on the Sussex Sharks stars and test your six-hitting skills.

Head to the bar, located behind the Webtrends Optimize Sharks Stand tomorrow to book your net. 

Plus, if you fancy a cheeky drink after the game, Sixes will remain open until 1030pm.

Don't Forget to Bring Your 1st Central Hair Headband!

Sussex Cricket and 1st Central have teamed up to give Sharks fans who re-use their 1st Central Hairy Headbands at a Blast game the chance to win a mystery prize!

As Sharks fans will know, we have been giving out free 1st Central Hairy Headbands at Blast games for the past few seasons, and in the spirit of sustainability, we have partnered with 1st Central to incentivise supporters to re-use their Hairy Headbands at future games.

Today at The 1st Central County Ground, fans who arrive with their headbands at the gate will be given a free raffle ticket and the chance to win a mystery prize. 

Fans who attend games will still be able to pick up headbands free of charge and will also be able to give a small donation, if possible, to the Sussex Cricket Foundation.

Pride Inclusivity and Sussex Cricket Foundation

Today's double-header is special for two reasons! The first is that today's game will be a celebration of Pride & Inclusivity at Sussex Cricket. Our players will be wearing special Pride training tops, you'll see plenty of rainbow flags and decorations around the place, plus we are holding a special pre-match event in Sixes to bring together people from all backgrounds.

Secondly, we'll also be playing the game in aid of the Sussex Cricket Foundation, giving you the chance to support our charitable arm, whilst supporting the Sharks. To find out more how you can support the Foundation, please click here. 

Sensory, Inclusion and Quiet Room

Sussex is proud to have opened its very own Sensory, Inclusion and Quiet Room. Our Sensory Room is a safe and relaxed environment where supporters who may need time away from the main seating areas to enjoy the game from. If you feel you may require this service, please approach a member of staff today.

One ticket, two matches - yes, it's another doubleheader at Hove as both our women's and men's teams grace the turf for their respective Vitality Blast matches. Alexia Walker's side entertain Middlesex Women, whilst Paul Farbrace's side return to immediate action to host Hampshire Hawks a little later on in the evening.

For Walker, she can take immense pride in her side's progress this season. Even if the chance of progressing to the next stages of the competition may not come to fruition this time around, two excellent victories already secured can harvest plenty of positives nonetheless. Victory today, though, would make things interesting at the top end of the table.

Farbrace's team will have a quick turnaround following last night's venture to Kent, and they'll host a Hampshire outfit who head into the match fresh having not played a white ball match since last month.

Last night's victory keeps the Sharks third, just six points off the top with a game in hand. A win over Hampshire would see Sussex shift into second as we near the group stage's climax.

Team News

Alexia Walker has named a 13-player squad for the hosting of Middlesex Women with the arrival of Daisy Mullan, who slots straight into the side. 

Adams, Buckle, Curling, Docherty, Gentry, Green (c), Harman, Lee, Lewis, Mullan, O'Neill, Stanley, Wilkinson

Paul Farbrace names an unchanged squad to the one that travelled to Kent last night.

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

The Opposition | Middlesex Women

Despite eventual defeat, it was a moment to savour for many attached to the Sharks Women side as the reverse fixture was held at Lord's. And for large swathes of the match the Sharks managed to keep a strong Middlesex side in check, eventually coming up short in the run chase in the Blast opener. 

Middlesex have more than demonstrated their capabilities in the competition this campaign, having won four of their opening five matches. They sit in second, holding an identical record to leaders Glamorgan, with three games to play.

The Opposition | Hampshire Hawks

It was all going swimmingly for our neighbouring county in the white ball game to start with - winning each of their opening three matches - before defeat at Kent set up a wobble period that they have yet to escape from. Winless in their last five matches, chances of qualification are still very much possible but they'll need to turn things around swiftly to get back on track.

Toby Albert and James Vince have scored the most runs in the competition for the Hawks thus far, but for the latter in particular, it has not been quite the same level of dominance at the crease as we are used to. That can change, though, and with the excellent Liam Dawson in the squad, they are a force when in command.

Start Time

The opening fixture between Sussex Sharks Women and Middlesex Women will begin at 3pm, whilst the men's match is set for a 7pm finish. Gates open at 1.30pm.

How to Watch

You will be able to watch every ball, free of charge, of the Women's clash via our Match Day Centre. You will need to register for a free account to access the stream, statistics, replays and live scorecard. You can find information on how to register here.

Our hosting of Hampshire this evening will be shown live on Sky Sports Cricket, and so will not be available to watch on our Match Centre.

Ticket Information

There is still time to get your tickets for today's action and we have a range of products for you to choose from. From our new exclusive Silly Point Pub, to Curry and Cricket packages, there is something for everyone! Head to our Blast is Back homepage to explore your options and get your tickets.