Sussex Cricket Museum

The Sussex Cricket Museum has recently acquired the Smallwood collection of photos, some of which are on display in the Museum. In this podcast Roger Packam discusses  with Adrian Harms some of the game's greatest players who were captured on camera and feature in the exhibition.

Isabelle is a leading woman cricketer and qualified coach. She was involved in the debate to admit women to MCC in the late 1990s and appeared on the front cover of Wisden cricketer magazine wearing an MCC sweater, at a time when no woman was permitted to join the club. Times have changed and she has since served on the main Committee. She has captained an all male team [ Albury CC] in the Surrey League and in recent years has been involved in ball by ball commentary on the BBC County Cricket coverage.

Michael Tweed, long associated with Firle Cricket Club, one of the ten oldest cricket clubs in the world, talks about the club's origins and in particular of games played in the 18th century between the teams of Sir William Gage of Firle and the Duke of Richmond of Goodwood. The two men were friends and the games between their teams helped to encourage the playing of cricket throughout Kent and Sussex.

With a new display cabinet in the Sussex Cricket Museum on Ted Dexter, Adrian Harmes discusses with cricket historian Roger Packham, the impact of Ted Dexter on not just Sussex cricket, but the way he transformed the way that this new form of cricket was played. The prospect of Dexter attacking fast bowling, and driving and cutting them with fierce strokes was enough to put thousands on any gate. He was a cricket thinker who helped to revolutionise the way the game was played and in so doing led Sussex to their first ever trophies in 1963 and 1964.

Members of Lindfield Cricket Club discuss with Sussex Cricket Museum curator, Keith Ridge, the development of cricket in and around Lindfield, Sussex, from the mid 18th century to more recent times when Sussex Second XI played games in Lindfield.

The March edition of the Sussex Cricket Museum podcast is with Conway Thorns, President of Henfield Cricket Club, who talks to Sussex Cricket Museum curator, Keith Ridge about cricket in Henfield which goes back to 1719, and his family's links with the club which go back seven generations.

Michael Simkins, who has appeared in the West End and on TV and radio, in productions such as 'Chicago' and 'Mama Mia!' but is also author of the best selling book on cricket, 'Fatty Batter' talks to John Barclay here about his obsession with cricket.

In the summer of 2023, Bharat Patel toured England as part of the Hollywood Cricket Team (HCC), playing at some of the most famous venues in cricket. Although Bharat lives near Boston and plays usually for Boston Gymkhana, he was able to tour with the Hollywood club that was founded by ex-Sussex and England star, Sir Aubrey Smith. Here Bharat talks about touring with HCC and playing in the Massachusetts State Cricket League which was founded in 1802.

Andy Dalby-Welsh had just begun a universtiy course at the age of just twenty when he developed a rare eye condition which left him registered blind. He began to play blind cricket for Sussex and later for England, taking part in the Blind World Cup held in India. Here he describes how he began to play blind cricket and how he came to play in a World Cup semi-final against Pakistan.

Regina Suddahazai Khan, who plays for Sussex Women and Italy, talks to Tymal Mills, one of the game's quickest bowlers, with experience of tournaments in India, Australia and Pakistan.