Sussex 2026 One Day Cup Preview
- Jul 20
- 3 min read
2025 Review:
League Position: 5th in Group B
Top Runscorer: Tom Clark - 336 runs
Top Wicket Taker: Henry Crocombe - 11 wickets
Top Points Scorer: Tom Clark - 819 points
2025 was a tricky year for cash strapped Sussex, with four wins and four losses in their group stage campaign, and no consistency to show. The lack of consistency is seen through the stats too. Only Tom Clark scored over 300 runs, whilst Surrey bound Henry Crocombe was the only bowler to take over ten wickets across their eight games. The batting proved to be an issue over the duration of the campaign, with a dramatic one wicket win over Lancashire the only time the side scored over 300 runs, coming off the back of a superb Clark century.
The bowling load was shared around, with despite only Crocombe passing 10 wickets for the campaign, four bowlers were within two of him, in Danny Lamb, Fynn Hudson-Prentice, Archie Lenham and Ari Karvelas. The standout amongst this group was a match-winning 5/48 from Lenham against Warwickshire, which included the scalps of Alex Davies and Kai Smith. Despite the difficult circumstances around the county, the available youth displayed quality in the campaign that has ultimately led to an England call up for Crocombe this year, so there were certainly positives to take.
Sussex 2026 One Day Cup Preview - Banker, Wildcard & Young Gun
Sussex will be without Crocombe and also James Coles for this iteration of the One Day Cup, as they unite as teammates in the Hundred. Ari Karvelas is also no longer with the county, despite his ten wickets last campaign, and T20 specialist Danny Briggs was also selected at the Hundred auction. Their absence will create opportunities for the younger members of the squad to develop further, as well as be a light in what is a difficult period for Sussex.
Despite their futures being uncertain, Sussex will also have a veteran presence in their side this campaign, with the ever reliable John Simpson set to lead them once more. Alongside the former England keeper, the likes of Tom Haines and the newly extended Tom Clark will be set to support a youthful pace attack that includes Dom Goodman and Sean Hunt, with Jack Carson the lead spin option. Sussex may not boast true star power or have those with an elite track record in this format, but cannot be underestimated by the competition.
Banker: John Simpson
John Simpson has been an absolute run machine in domestic cricket over the past few years after making the move to Sussex from Middlesex. The Lancashire born keeper has led the way in First Class cricket, helping Sussex’s promotion and also consolidation in Division One, with his late career resurgence. Simpson will also contribute strong fielding points in taking the gloves, something managers in the game can never overlook, with 131 dismissals in his 115 career List A matches. If Simpson can anchor innings this campaign as he has shown he is capable of in the past, don’t be surprised to see him as one of the competition’s top points scorers.
Wildcard: Jack Carson
England hopeful Carson has developed into a genuine all-rounder over the past few years for Sussex, boasting a First Class batting average of 24, and a bowling average of 33.60. The development with the bat was most evident by his new career best of 105, scored against Surrey this season in a valiant Sussex defeat. With the ball, the tall off-spinner averages below 23 in his 21 T20 appearances, showing his potency across both sides of the game. If given the chance to bat up the order, Carson will contribute points scores across all parts of the game.
Young Gun: George Thomas
A destructive top order batter, George Thomas, whose brother Josh is Somerset’s hot property, is full of quality. He has displayed this at times this season at a club level, as captured by Three Bridges on YouTube, most recently scoring a sparkling 169 not out at the Sussex Prem level. This tournament feels like the perfect transition into being a key member of the batting unit at a white ball level, with Thomas sporting a career strike rate of 83 in List A cricket so far. The combination of strike rate bonus, as well as accruing points for individual boundaries scored, could see the Twenty Three year old as a very solid option for managers.
Potential Starting XI
G Thomas
T Haines
T Clark
J Leaning
J Simpson
F Hudson-Prentice
T Price
D Lamb
J Carson
O Robinson
S Hunt
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