Match Preview: Durham vs Sussex – Metro Bank One Day Cup 2026

Venue: Banks Homes Riverside, Chester-le-Street
Date: Thursday, 24 July 2026
Time: 13:30 GMT
Competition: Metro Bank One Day Cup – Group B

Introduction

The Metro Bank One Day Cup returns to the North East this Thursday as Durham host Sussex in a crucial Group B encounter at the picturesque Banks Homes Riverside. This clash promises to be a pivotal fixture for both sides, with Durham looking to build on a promising start to the tournament while Sussex aims to bounce back from a narrow defeat in their opening game.

Match Context and Form

Durham: The In-Form Hosts

Durham enters this fixture as the clear favorite, riding a wave of confidence following a commanding performance in their opening match. The county secured a victory against Derbyshire, successfully chasing a formidable target of 257 with five balls to spare.

The standout performer was none other than Ben Stokes, who anchored the chase with a masterful unbeaten 108 off 123 balls. Stokes is currently in exceptional form, having registered scores of 108*, 95, and 45 in his last three innings. His ability to stabilize the innings and accelerate in the death overs remains the cornerstone of Durham's batting strategy.

Supporting Stokes were Will Rhodes (45 off 60) and Colin Ackermann, who contributed a rapid 28. On the bowling front, Luke Robinson has been a workhorse, taking 3/44 in the win over Derbyshire. His recent five-match bowling record (3/44, 1/37, 2/21, 2/30) highlights his consistency as a new-ball strike bowler. Durham has won two of their last five matches and two of their last three encounters against Sussex, giving them a distinct psychological edge.

Sussex: Seeking Redemption

Sussex Sharks will be looking to correct their fortunes after a heartbreaking loss to Glamorgan in their opener at Neath. Despite posting a competitive 283/8, they fell just 12 runs short of Glamorgan's 295/8.

The Sharks' batting lineup showed promise, with Jack Carson (81 off 72) and Tom Price (55 off 58) putting in solid performances. The all-rounder Fynn Hudson-Prentice was instrumental for Sussex, contributing 63 with the bat and 5 wickets with the ball in the same match. Hudson-Prentice has been the standout bowler for Sussex recently, claiming 6 wickets in his last three outings, while captain Jack Carson has also chipped in with 5 wickets in his last four matches.

However, Sussex's inability to defend their total against Glamorgan raises questions about their death-overs bowling. They will need to tighten up at the Riverside to avoid another narrow defeat.

Key Players to Watch

Tactical Analysis

The pitch at Chester-le-Street typically offers a balance between bat and ball, often favoring seamers in the morning but becoming more conducive to batting as the game progresses. With Durham's strong top order featuring Stokes and Lees, they will likely look to post a total in excess of 270.

Sussex's strategy will hinge on their opening bowlers, Robert Kirtley and Troy Henry, to exploit the early conditions and restrict Durham. If they can dismiss the top order early, the middle order led by Jack Leaning and Tom Price will need to build a partnership to set a competitive total.

Prediction

Given Ben Stokes' current form and Durham's home advantage, the Tees-Side county is well-positioned to secure the win. While Sussex possesses a potent bowling attack, their recent inability to defend totals suggests a vulnerability against a strong batting lineup.

Verdict: Durham to win.
Projected Score: Durham 280/6 vs Sussex 245/9.

Team Combinations (Projected)

Durham XI: Alex Lees, Graham Clark, Will Rhodes, Colin Ackermann, Ben Stokes, Scott Borthwick (c), Oliver Robinson (wk), George Drissell, Shafiqullah Ghafari, James Minto, Luke Robinson.

Sussex XI: Charlie Tear (wk), George Thomas, Tom Price, Danial Ibrahim, Jack Leaning, Fynn Hudson-Prentice, Jack Carson (c), Dominic Goodman, Troy Henry, Toby Munt, Robert Kirtley.

Note: Team selections are subject to change based on final toss decisions and late fitness updates.