Scorecards

Week Two - Sussex V Hampshire - Hampshire won by 10 wickets

An ominous return to County Cricket was waiting for David Earl as Hampshire secured a commanding 10-wicket win over Sussex in a low-scoring first-class encounter. Sussex were bowled out for 180 in their first innings, with Ethan Jakati top-scoring with a run-a-ball 40, before Hampshire replied with 260 thanks to C. Bailey’s 72 and L. Mason’s 48. Ball starred with the ball for Sussex, taking 3/50 in the first innings, while K. Wolf claimed 5/86.

Sussex’s second innings crumbled to 136 all out, with Jakati top scoring again (36) and M. Marshall (25) offering brief resistance. F. Elliott's 4/55 ensured Hampshire needed just 57 to win, which openers J. Ayden (39) and L.McMasonn (18) chased down without loss. Despite Franco Elliott being named Player of the Match for his attacking contribution in Sussex’s first innings, fans were left bewildered as to how the young Ki Wolf was not chosen with remarkable performances with both bat and ball.

Week Three- Kent V Sussex - Sussex won by 4 wickets

Sussex were able to kickstart their season and emerged victorious in a tense finish at the Kent Oval, chasing down a modest target to beat Kent by 4 wickets. Kent struggled in their first innings, posting just 133, with S. Davidson (37) and A. Richards (24) offering resistance. Sussex responded strongly with 287, powered by Ki Wolf’s explosive 72 off 65 balls and M. Marshall’s steady 51, establishing a 154-run lead.

Kent fought back in their second innings, with Bush-Gore (70) and Davidson (52) leading a gritty recovery to set Sussex a target of 94. Despite a flurry of wickets, Sussex’s chase was anchored by young William Withershaw's rapid 46 off 21 balls and a late cameo from Marshall (20 off 21), sealing the win in just 13.2 overs. Dexter Blackburn was named Player of the Match for his consistent contributions across both innings.

Week Four- Sussex V Gloucestershire- Gloucestershire won by an innings and 29 runs

Gloucestershire got back on track after last weeks defeat to Leicestershire as they delivered another dominant performance to crush Sussex by an innings and 29 runs in a one-sided first-class encounter. Sussex were bundled out for just 128 in their first innings, with H. Francis (30) the only batter to offer resistance. Gloucestershire responded emphatically with a mammoth 389, powered by centuries from C. Driscoll (114) and Trevor Raylinzawi (101), building an imposing lead. Sussex’s bowlers struggled to contain the scoring, with D. Werner and D. Blackburn picking up four and three wickets respectively.

Facing a 261-run deficit, Sussex showed more fight in their second innings, again led by E. Jakati’s gritty 88. Young Withershaw’s 53 was overshadowed only by ugly scenes at the boundary rope as what appeared to be his father voicing his displeasure at his sons wicket.. The damage however, had already been done, and they were eventually dismissed for 232. G. van Hamburg starred with the ball, taking a fivefer in the second innings and contributing across both innings to earn the Player of the Match award.

Week Six- Sussex V Yorkshire- Sussex won by 34 runs

Sussex emerged victorious in a tense four-day contest against Yorkshire, winning by 34 runs in a match defined by momentum swings and standout individual performances. Batting first, Sussex posted 223, with opener E. Jakati anchoring the innings with a fluent 95 off 128 balls. Debutante J. Thomas added a brisk 38, but Yorkshire’s bowlers—led by B. Clow (4-49) and M. Faulkner (3-68)—kept the hosts in check. In reply, Yorkshire stumbled against the relentless Dexter Blackburn, whose devastating 6-48 dismantled the middle order and restricted the visitors to 175.

Sussex capitalised on their first-innings lead with a commanding second-innings total of 340. Jakati returned to the crease with renewed patience, crafting a superb 114 from 207 deliveries, while H. Francis added a crucial 90. Despite resistance from Yorkshire’s J. Singh (5-88) and Clow (3-93), Sussex set a daunting target of 389. Yorkshire’s chase was spirited, led by A. Lalor’s gritty 88 and J. Livingstone’s 58, but the pressure of the scoreboard and disciplined bowling proved too much.

Dexter Blackburn once again delivered when it mattered most, claiming 3-76 in the final innings to finish with match figures of 9-124. His ability to strike at key moments earned him the Player of the Match award, as Sussex wrapped up the win with Yorkshire all out for 354. The result lifts Sussex’s campaign and highlights Blackburn’s growing influence as a match-winner in the longer format.