HOVE — In a significant move signaling a new era for the club, Sussex County Cricket Club has announced its leadership structure for the 2026 season. Fast bowler Ollie Robinson will captain the side in the County Championship, while off-spinner Jack Carson will take the reins for the One-Day Cup campaign.
The decision, confirmed by head coach Paul Farbrace, underscores a dual-pronged strategy aimed at harnessing the specific strengths of two key players. Robinson, 32, brings immense experience and a formidable cricketing brain to the red-ball role, while Carson, 25, is seen as a dynamic and tactically astute leader for the white-ball format. This split captaincy model is designed to optimize performance across different competitions and manage the increasing workload on modern cricketers.
Robinson's Red-Ball Reign
Ollie Robinson’s appointment marks a natural progression for the England seamer, who has become the cornerstone of Sussex’s bowling attack. Having taken over 250 first-class wickets for the county at an average under 22, his on-field authority and understanding of the longer game are unquestioned. The role comes with the added responsibility of mentoring a young Sussex bowling unit that includes rising stars like Ari Karvelas and the highly-touted seamer, James Coles.
Farbrace was effusive in his praise for Robinson’s leadership qualities, stating: "Ollie has a fantastic cricket brain and commands huge respect in the dressing room. His knowledge of conditions and how to construct a session or a day’s play is exceptional. He’s ready for this challenge, and we believe he can lead our Championship push with the same intelligence and skill he shows with the ball."
For Robinson, the captaincy represents a chance to solidify his legacy at Hove while continuing to push for a regular recall to the England Test side. His focus will be on steering Sussex up the Division One table after a period of consolidation. Key to this will be managing a squad that blends seasoned professionals with exciting academy graduates. His immediate priorities include:
- Forging a potent new-ball partnership in the absence of any overseas signings for the early season.
- Nurturing the batting lineup around the experienced Tom Haines and Cheteshwar Pujara, whose return for a fourth season is a major boost.
- Managing his own fitness and workload to ensure he is a consistent presence on the field.
Carson's White-Ball Vision
The appointment of Jack Carson as One-Day Cup captain is a bold and forward-thinking move. The Northern Irish off-spinner, who joined Sussex’s academy in 2018, has developed into a pivotal all-format player. Known for his aggressive bowling and competitive spirit, Carson’s tactical acumen in limited-overs cricket has impressed the coaching staff. His leadership in the 2025 campaign, where he often acted as a vice-captain on the field, was a clear precursor to this promotion.
Paul Farbrace highlighted Carson’s natural fit for the role, saying: "Jack is a born competitor and a brilliant thinker about the white-ball game. He’s innovative, communicates brilliantly with his bowlers, and leads by example with his energy in the field. We want to play a fearless, attacking brand of one-day cricket, and Jack embodies that philosophy perfectly."
Carson’s captaincy will be supported by a core of dynamic white-ball specialists. The explosive batting of Harrison Ward and the all-round prowess of Fynn Hudson-Prentice provide a powerful middle-order engine. Carson’s challenge will be to integrate younger talents like the promising wicketkeeper-batter, Charlie Tear, into a cohesive and aggressive unit capable of challenging for the One-Day Cup title.
Strategic Split and Club Philosophy
The split-captaincy model is not new to county cricket, but its adoption by Sussex speaks to a modern, specialized approach. It allows each leader to focus intensely on the unique demands of their format. For Robinson, it means deep immersion in four-day strategies, pitch management, and bowler rotations. For Carson, the focus shifts to powerplay fields, death bowling plans, and dynamic batting orders.
This structure also alleviates the immense burden that a single, all-format captaincy would place on either player, particularly Robinson given his aspirations and injury history. It fosters a broader leadership group within the squad, empowering multiple voices. Club Director of Cricket, Keith Greenfield, emphasized the long-term thinking behind the decision: "This is about building sustainable success. We have two outstanding leaders with complementary skills. This setup allows them to thrive in their preferred environments and gives our squad clear, focused direction in each competition."
The success of this model will hinge on clear communication between the two captains, the coaching staff, and the playing group. Ensuring a unified club culture while embracing tactical differences between formats will be a key test for Farbrace and his management team.
Looking Ahead to the 2026 Campaign
The 2026 season presents a fresh canvas for Sussex under its new leadership. In the County Championship, the goal will be to build on the promising performances of 2025 and mount a sustained challenge in Division One. The presence of Cheteshwar Pujara for the full season provides invaluable stability, while the development of homegrown batters like Tom Alsop and James Coles’s evolution as a genuine all-rounder will be crucial.
In the One-Day Cup, Carson’s men will aim to go deep into the knockout stages. The tournament offers a platform for the county’s exciting young talent to shine on a national stage. The blend of Carson’s spin, the pace of Robinson and Karvelas (when available), and a deep batting lineup makes Sussex a potentially dangerous opponent in the 50-over format.
As the squad prepares for pre-season, the mood at The 1st Central County Ground is one of optimistic anticipation. The appointments of Ollie Robinson and Jack Carson have been met with widespread approval from members and pundits alike. In a statement, Robinson captured the collective sentiment: "It’s a huge honour to captain Sussex in the Championship. This club means everything to me. We have a fantastic group of players, and with Jack leading the way in the one-day stuff, I’m excited about what we can achieve together in 2026."
The stage is now set for a fascinating season at Hove. With distinct leadership steering the ship in different waters, Sussex County Cricket Club is betting on specialization and youthful exuberance to navigate a path back to the pinnacle of domestic cricket. All eyes will be on how this bold new structure translates into performance when the Championship begins in April and the One-Day Cup gets underway later in the summer.