Sussex Cricket can today confirm the departure of seamer Jamie Atkins, who will now pursue a career outside of the professional game.

Atkins made his debut for Sussex at 18 years of age and went on to make 8 first-class and 1 List-A appearance for the Club, taking a total of 24 wickets.

Jamie said: “I’d like to thank Sussex for the 3 years I’ve had as a cricketer, helping me to fulfil a dream of mine since I was a kid.  

"I’m disappointed I didn’t push on from a good start in 2021, however I’ve had time to move on and start thinking about life after cricket.

"I’d like to thank the lads in the dressing room who made life as a professional cricketer a joy to be with.

"I’ll keep supporting the boys and staying in touch with the club, and I’m looking forward to seeing them push for promotion next year! GOSBTS.”

Sussex Head Coach, Paul Farbrace added: “We all wish Jamie well as he leaves the Club. He will always be welcome back at Hove. In my short term at the Club, he has been a joy to work with and has been an incredibly popular member of the squad.

"We have offered him any help and support that he needs as he develops a career away from Sussex Cricket.”

Everyone at Sussex Cricket would like to wish Jamie all the best in his future endeavours. GOSBTS

Today everyone at Sussex Cricket remembers Matthew Hobden, on the anniversary of his death. 

Matthew sadly passed away on 2nd January 2016. He has made List-A debut for Sussex in 2013, before going on to make his first-class debut in 2014. 

He played 10 County Championship matches in 2015 and was named in the fast-bowling group for the Potential England Performance Programme. 

Sussex continue to honour the memory of Matthew at The 1st Central County Ground with his image displayed for all to see on the Shark Stand, as well as with a memorial tree which spectators can visit and remember him when at the ground.

Once a Shark, always a Shark. Rest in peace, Matthew. 

With 2023 coming to a close, we’ve had a look back at some of the standout moments of the season across all Sussex teams and picked out the best moments from the year for you to cast your minds back and remember.

Smith half-century at The 1st Central County Ground

It was an arrival of a modern great in May that drew the masses to Hove. Steve Smith’s signature for three games divided opinion across the game, however that didn’t stop the fans flocking to see him turn out against Glamorgan.

Having yet to score significant runs in his first two appearances, Smith made sure he put on a display of technical brilliance when he made 89 from 183 balls in front of the Sussex Members.

Not only did he make his maiden half-century for Sussex, but he also even managed to pick up two wickets, including that of his fellow Australian Michael Neser.

Those who did make the trip to Hove were also treated to the sight of Ollie Robinson pinning Marnus Labuschagne lbw before hurtling down towards the Sea End in celebration.

James Coles announces himself

It was something of a breakout season for James Coles, who managed to outshine the arrival of Steve Smith at The 1st Central Ground as he cruised to his highest first-class score (at the time) of 138 against Glamorgan.

Fans had packed into the ground to see Smith take on Labuschagne prior to an eagerly awaited Ashes Series in England, but it was the young Coles who stole the show.

However, it was not long until he went one better. In July, Derbyshire were the visitors to Hove when Coles made yet another career-best, reaching 180 off 264 balls, a knock that included 23 fours and 2 sixes.

Plenty more from Coles to come in 2024.

El Clasicoast doesn’t disappoint

The Blast match that had it all. With the Sky cameras and rivals Hampshire in town, the Sharks put on an incredible display of power-hitting and exceptional fielding to win a nail biting T20 classic.

First, Oli Carter bludgeoned his way to maiden T20 half-century, making 64 from 33 balls, including 6 fours and 4 sixes as the Sharks set the Hawks 184 to win.

What followed was arguably two of the greatest piece of fielding seen in T20 Blast history.

With the Hawks closing in on victory, Harrison Ward defied the odds to save a certain maximum in front of the dugouts, only for Brad Currie to somehow go one better.

The visitors required 23 from 11 and looked to be in the driving seat, before Currie pulled off what has been dubbed the greatest catch of all time, again stopping an almost certain six.

Here’s a recap of that moment

Sussex Women win T20 gold

It was another successful season for the Sussex Women’s team who stepped out into the middle of The 1st Central County Ground in May at T20 Finals Day looking to secure back-to-back T20 titles.

First up was a semi-final against Berkshire CCC and it was the Sussex bowling attack that ensured a place in the final.

After a sublime knock from Mary Taylor (82*) Sussex set Berkshire 137 to win, however the bowlers ensured that Berkshire would not get close to that tally.

Wickets from both Mary and Millie Taylor, as well as contributions from Chiara Green and Linsey Smith helped Sussex to setup an El Clasicoast final against Hampshire.

Sussex skipper Georgia Adams won the toss and elected to bat, a choice that would pay off thanks to knocks from overseas keeper-batter Nicole Faltum (37), Linsey Smith (24*) and a useful 18 from Adams herself.

With that Hampshire were set 123 to win the title, who looked to have made a good start in the chase, thanks to Charlotte Taylor’s opening 44 from 55 balls.

But the Sussex attack fought back. Wickets from Green and Adams halted Hampshire’s progress as they slumped to 97-6 from their 20 overs, crowning Sussex Women T20 champions for the second season running.

VI Sussex Sharks lift T20 trophy

Sussex Women were not the only Sussex team to win T20 gold in 2023. The VI (Visually Impaired) Sussex Sharks side won a trophy of their own in September, seeing off previous holders Somerset along the way.

The semi-final began with trouble, after Sussex opener Mark Oliphant was dismissed with the second ball of the inning, however Mark Bond (52) and Si Ledwith (36) steadied the shit and helped Sussex to 169-3 from 20 overs.

The holders Somerset pushed the game close, but were unable to reach their target, falling just 6 runs short.

The final was far more clear cut. After a terrific effort from the Sussex bowlers, finalists Lancashire could only manage to make it to 71 before being bowled out in the 19th over.

The Sharks wasted no time chasing down their target and with 12.1 overs to spare, made it home to lift the T20 trophy.

Five Sussex players were awarded their County Caps last season, an honour that goes to players who have made significant contributions to the game, or to the club. We’ve looked back at the five who donned the infamous Martlets in 2023.

Steve Smith #153

Who could forget the arrival of Steve Smith? Undoubtedly one of the greatest to ever have played the game arrived in May to play three games in the County Championship for Sussex.

His third and final game of his brief stint began with him being awarded his County Cap prior to taking on Glamorgan, the county of his best friend and fellow Australian Test batter, Marnus Labuschagne.

S.P.D. Smith became the 153rd player to be awarded his Martlets on 17th May 2023.

Tom Alsop #154

Tom Alsop joined Sussex in March 2022 initially on a loan deal from Hampshire, before making the move permanent in June 2022.

In his first season at Sussex, Tom averaged 42.27, making four centuries and four half-centuries, with a career-best of 150. This year, he went one better beating his previous career-best against the same opponent Leicestershire, making 182 not-out at Grace Road.

In 2023 Tom was made vice-captain of the red-ball side and went on to make 2 centuries, 4 half-centuries and averaged 39.04 with the bat.

T.P. Alsop became the 154th player to be awarded his Martlets on 17th May 2023.

Tymal Mills #155

Tymal Mills and Ravi Bopara broke the mould when they received their County Caps, as the awards are generally reserved for red-ball players. However, due to the significant impact he has had at Sussex, the club felt strongly that Tymal deserved the honour.

After winning the ICC T20 World Cup, Tymal returned to Hove to make history again when he surpassed Will Beer to become the leading wicket-taker in T20 cricket for the Sussex Sharks with 114 wickets.

Having joined the club in 2015, Tymal has now agreed another contract extension to take him to 10 years of service at Sussex!

T.S. Mills became the 155th player to be awarded his Martlets on 4th June 2023.

Ravi Bopara #156

After making his debut for Essex in 2023, Bopara has since gone on to become one of the great white-ball players of his generation. Ravi has played over 450 times in T20 cricket, around the world for various clubs and franchises, amassing over 8000 runs and taking over 250 wickets.

He joined Sussex from Essex in 2020 and was named T20 captain in 2022. He was awarded his County Cap alongside Tymal Mills prior to the T20 Blast match against Glamorgan at The 1st Central County Ground this summer.

On his final appearance for Sussex Sharks, Ravi smashed his way to his first ever T20 century, making 108 from 53 balls to help the Sharks to an 11-run victory over the Kent Spitfires.

R.S. Bopara became the 156th player to be awarded his Martlets on 4th June 2023.

Fynn Hudson-Prentice #157

Born in Haywards Heath, local all-rounder Fynn Hudson-Prentice had a season to remember in 2023.

In the County Championship this season, Fynn accumulated 879 runs, making 9 half-centuries and averaging 48.83. He also contributed vital wickets with the red ball, taking 20 wickets helping Sussex to a third-place finish in Division 2.

As well as being awarded his County Cap, Fynn won Men’s Championship Player of the Year at the end of season awards.

F.J. Hudson-Prentice became the 157th player to be awarded his Martlets on 26th September 2023.

In the last Winter Watch before Christmas, we reflect on the Sussex Women’s players who made history this week, news of runs for Harrison Ward under, plus updates on the progress of Nathan McAndrew and Daniel Hughes in the Big Bash.

Women’s European Cricket Championship

Chiara Green, Cassidy McCarthey, Millie Taylor and Daisy Gibb made history this week when they were crowned the first winners of the European Women’s T10 Championship, where they represented England for the National Counties Cricket Association.

The tournament, which was played over six days, culminated in a final that saw the England XI defeat Netherlands by 17 runs.

Sussex’s Daisy Gibb was the standout performer with the ball, taking 2-10 from her allocated overs, helping England to lift the title on Friday.

Nathan McAndrew & Daniel Hughes Big Bash

The Big Bash is underway, with Sussex represented by two of the overseas signings for the 2024 season.

Daniel Hughes’ Sydney Sixers made it two wins from two last week in a narrow game which saw them sneak past the Adelaide Strikers by a single run.

Nathan McAndrew’s Sydney Thunder lost their opener, but bounced back yesterday, beating the Melbourne Stars by 5 wickets. McAndrew was undefeated at the crease, as he made a handy 13 from 5 deliveries.

Dan Ibrahim joins Oli Carter

Sussex allrounder Dan Ibrahim joined Oli Carter for some cricket down under this month and was straight among the runs and wickets this week.

Playing for Newcastle, alongside Carter, Ibrahim made 24 runs and took 2-27 in a T20 victory.

Skipper Carter, who opened the batting, made a quickfire 32 from 14 to help see Newcastle through to the next round of the competition.

Half-century for Ward

Harrison Ward has settled in nicely in Australia, making another half-century at the top of the order for UTS North Sydney. He chalked up 66 from 69 deliveries in a 3 wicket defeat to Bankstown in a 50-over competition.

Dear Members and supporters of Sussex Cricket,

I would like to start this update to members by thanking you for your support in 2023 and wishing all of you who are celebrating, a very happy Christmas.

2024 is going to be an exciting year for cricket in Sussex and an important one for cricket in England and Wales as important decisions are made about the future of the domestic game.

We are very much looking forward to seeing Paul Farbrace’s team develop in 2024 and to a serious bid for what is overdue promotion back to the 1st Division of the County Championship, where we all believe Sussex belong.

I was personally saddened when Ali Orr made the decision to leave us but that has very much been balanced by positive news across the rest of the squad.

Paul Farbrace has announced an excellent group of four overseas players coming to Hove during the year including the privilege for us all of once again seeing Cheteshwar Pujara back wearing the Martlets.

We are excited by the England Lions call ups for Jack Carson and James Coles and proud of Ollie Robinson and Tymal Mills who have both been picked for full England squads this winter.

We are hearing great things about our young players around the world in the winter with Bertie Foreman and Oli Carter in particular enjoying successful seasons in Sydney.

The arrival of Danny Lamb and John Simpson has brought great new energy to the group and they have both quickly become important members of our squad. There is so much to look forward to from our talented squad in 2024.

As far as the important decisions to be made about the game are concerned please be clear that I and the Board are working hard to ensure that the best interests of cricket in Sussex, as well as the broader game are taken into account.

The three most important decisions that affect us are about the future of The Hundred, the future of Women’s professional cricket and the fixture lists for 2025 and beyond that will result from these decisions.

As far as The Hundred is concerned, consultation is continuing and as soon as there are concrete proposals developed these will be shared with members and discussed with you in an open forum.

The women’s regional teams, including the Southern Vipers, are entering their final year before the women’s game returns to the counties.

In January, we are expecting to receive a tender document from the ECB which will enable Sussex to apply to be one of the eight fully professional county teams that will be set up in 2025, the ten counties that are not part of the new professional Tier One will become part of Tier Two.

Members can be assured that Sussex Cricket will be working very hard to demonstrate that given our ground at Hove, the history of excellence in women’s cricket, the availability of outstanding resources at Hove, Blackstone, BACA and an exciting development at the University of Brighton, we are very well placed to be one of the eight.

Watch this space for news as that work develops. The availability of top quality cricket of all forms for our members at Hove and indeed at grounds across the county will drive our approach to these key decisions and we are determined to ensure that the cricket lovers of Sussex have more top quality cricket to enjoy in the years ahead.

Members will be pleased to know that as we approach the Christmas break we have received a number of high quality applications for the role of Chief Executive and that we will be conducting interviews in the second week of January.

The Board and I are confident that we will be able to make a very good appointment early in the New Year and look forward to sharing that with you.

I very much hope to see you back at Hove in April and to sharing news with you on all of the above as we get closer to the start of the season.

With many thanks for your invaluable and much appreciated support for Sussex Cricket.

Jon

Sussex Cricket Chair

The Sussex Cricket Society is opening its doors to new members once again and with such an exciting line up of guests planned in the New Year, now is the perfect time to join. 

The Sussex Cricket Society was formed on 6 April 1965 by Alan Oakman, the former Sussex and England cricketer.

The aims of the Society are "to further cricket interest and enthusiasm and to provide a source of contact between cricket lovers”. To this end the Society holds 6 monthly meetings from October through to March.

The Society's winter programme continues on Wednesday 10th January when David Gower will be speaking at a lunch in Cow Corner at The 1st Central County Ground.

The tickets for this event cost only £34 for members including lunch, and details of how to sign up by the 3rd January will be sent to all new members when joining the Society.

Get in early as the event is already proving popular with existing members. Each member is welcome to bring one guest.

On February 14th it’s another lunch with a great speaker, this time Geoff Miller (Derbyshire, Essex and England).

In March or early April, when the date will depend on Sussex’s pre-season arrangements, an afternoon tea with Sussex Head Coach Paul Farbrace as speaker, will round off the winter’s entertainment.  

Event details (prices, booking information) will appear in the monthly newsletter issued roughly six weeks before an event.

To gain access to these events you will need to be a member of Sussex Cricket Society which you can do by following the link to the Society Website at the bottom of this article and paying an annual membership from just £20.

You will from then on automatically also receive the informative newsletter which is sent out to all our members each month.

The events themselves do vary in price depending on catering costs and all will take place at The 1st Central County Ground in Hove. As you can see and with over 200 members, the Society is looking forward to the New Year.

If not already a member we hope you too will enjoy and support the great work the Sussex Cricket Society does by joining here: https://www.sussexcricketsociety.org/ 

Sussex D40 batter Alfie Pyle recently made history when he became the first player to go from a Super 1s programme, through the County system and all the way up to the top of the game, making his international debut for England in a victorious tri-series in South Africa last month.

Fresh from making his England debut, Alfie was straight back into coaching a Super 1s session in Crawley, right where it all began for him.

Many would have forgiven him for taking a rest after such a special and busy year, however Alfie was back doing what he loves, inspiring the next generation to pick up a bat and ball.

Hear from Alfie about his whirlwind journey, from Super 1s to Sussex and England. 

What is Super 1s?

The Sussex Cricket Foundation's Super 1s clubs provide access for young people with additional needs to regular cricket.

They give participants the chance to compete against peers as well as opportunities to build friendships and develop independent life skills.   

With the support of leading disability sports charity, Lord’s Taverners, we run clubs in several Sussex locations throughout the calendar year.

To find out more, please visit the Super 1s page on the Sussex Cricket Foundation's website. 

Sussex Cricket is delighted to announce that all-rounder Fynn Hudson-Prentice has signed a two-year contract extension with the Club.

The new deal will see the 27-year-old remain at The 1st Central County Ground until at least 2026.

Born in Haywards Heath, Hudson-Prentice came through the Sussex Pathway and made his debut for the first team in August 2015 at the age of 19.

After a brief spell away from the club, which saw him first represent the MCC Young Cricketers, followed two seasons at Derbyshire, Fynn returned home to his boyhood county in 2021.

Although his return was hampered by injuries in 2021 and 2022, Fynn has gone on to establish himself as a vital component in Farbrace’s team.

In the County Championship in 2023, Fynn accumulated 879 runs, making 9 half-centuries and averaging 48.83.

He also contributed vital wickets with the red ball, taking 20 wickets helping Sussex to a third-place finish in Division 2.

His efforts last season were recognised by the coaching team and members, when not only was he awarded Men’s Championship Player of the Year, but he was also given his County Cap. 

Speaking on the new deal, Fynn said: “I am delighted to have signed an extension with my boyhood club. I’m really enjoying working with Paul Farbrace and I am excited for what the future holds with the group of players we have here.”

Sussex Head Coach, Paul Farbrace added: “We are delighted Fynn has committed his next three seasons to the club, he epitomises everything we are trying to create on and off the field. 

"He is one of the most dedicated players I have had the pleasure of working with. He works extremely hard to give himself the best chance of success on the field. 

"Fynn had an excellent all round season this year, and we all look forward to his continued development as a player. He is a genuine three in one player, and is continually looking to improve his skills."

2024 Memberships

Join Good Old Sussex by the Sea to ensure your seat at all County Championship and Metro Bank One Day Cup games, plus, a whole range of additional benefits, such as guest passes and discounts on food and drink in Sussex Cricket bars (Griegs and Pavilion). 

Once you've purchased your membership, all that is left to do is keep an eye out for the 2024 fixtures and plan your summer full of action-packed cricket at The 1st Central County Ground. 

Membership packs will be sent out to all members prior to the 2024 season getting underway.

To find out more, visit: https://sussexcricket.co.uk/2024-membership

What a wonderful way to end another fantastic year of Sporting Memories in Sussex! On Tuesday 12th December almost 80 volunteers, members and carers enjoyed a fun filled Christmas lunch in the Long Room at The 1st Central County Ground, Hove.

This year, Sussex Cricket Foundation have launched three new clubs across the county - in Hove, Crowborough and Chichester taking the total number of clubs to seven.

Members were also joined by special guests such as; John Barclay, President of Sussex Cricket and former player and Patron of Sporting Memories, former international rugby star and first-class cricketer, Alastair Hignell, as well as Brighton & Hove Albion legend, Kerry Mayo.

This festive period help us to support older people reminisce, replay and reconnect, through the power of sport and physical activity.

Click here if you would like to donate to our Sporting Memories Christmas Appeal.

To learn more about Sporting Memories in Sussex, or to find out how you can get involved, please visit our website or contact Emma: emma.brooke@sussexcricket.co.uk