Sussex CCC previews 2025 - Fynn Hudson-Prentice looks at the summer ahead for the county and talks about what he's been doing over the winter.
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00:00Right, Finn, welcome back to Hove, welcome back to the 2025 season.
00:04How's your winter been, firstly?
00:06Yes, it's been really good.
00:07Spent a couple of months here from November and December,
00:11a month off in October,
00:14just working on a couple of bits
00:17and then managed to get myself to New Zealand for a couple of months in January and February,
00:20which was good fun.
00:22Nice to get away and play a bit of cricket and then back where I'm to go for a season.
00:25Yes, and was it quite a late move to New Zealand?
00:28Because I certainly didn't hear anything about it being mooted at first.
00:31Did it just tie in quite nicely with your schedule?
00:35Yes, it was quite poorly organised in terms of timing.
00:40I was initially trying to head to Zimbabwe to play in their first class stuff over there
00:45and play a few T20s.
00:46Unfortunately, that fell through quite last minute.
00:49They had a couple of changes with the people who run it over there.
00:52So the contact who I was chatting to isn't involved there anymore.
00:57So it was a bit of a late pull out.
01:00So, yes, it was just trying to find some cricket overseas somewhere
01:03to get some overs in the legs and stuff just before coming back.
01:06So I was fortunate enough that I had a contact in New Zealand
01:09that was able to help me out and sort out some cricket.
01:11So, yes, fairly late on and a bit poorly organised in terms of timing,
01:15but it was good to be able to get something.
01:17And it panned out quite nicely from what I heard.
01:19I heard a double century in there.
01:21Not a double.
01:22Oh, I was listening to Fabi and he was saying double century.
01:25Oh, thanks, Fabs. Pump me up.
01:27No, it was good out there.
01:29I scored 100, took some wickets, took a five for as well.
01:32So it was nice to sort of, as an all-rounder,
01:35it's always two things that you strive for is five wickets and 100.
01:38So it was good to get the opportunity to spend some time out in the middle of the bat
01:41and also bowl a few overs.
01:43So, yes, it was a good time.
01:44And they're all good competitive surfaces and a good level of cricket with the players out there.
01:48Yes, it was the Christchurch Premier competition.
01:52I've played there a couple of times, actually.
01:54I went over there in 2016 or 2017 and then 2019 as well.
01:59So, yes, I'm back at the same club and we ended up winning the 50-over competition
02:04that we were playing in as well.
02:05So that was good.
02:06And the standards are probably a little bit better than Premier League cricket over here.
02:10So it was good to just sort of, again, as I said before,
02:13just get some overs in the legs and play some games.
02:15Fantastic.
02:16And I imagine it's quite welcome to finally link up with all the players
02:19who've been in all parts of the globe over the winter
02:22and chat about their experiences.
02:24Yes, it's been pretty hectic with the Sussex boys this year.
02:27I think there was only about four or five of us that were left at home in the end.
02:31So, yes, it was great to have everyone back,
02:32obviously, over the last couple of weeks in pre-season and training and stuff.
02:35There's still a couple of lads who are still overseas playing.
02:38But, yes, it's good to have the majority of the squad back.
02:41And the overseas boys are coming in this week, I think, as well.
02:44So, yes, it's good to have everyone back.
02:46And, of course, you really do have to think back to, I think it was 2015 or so,
02:50the last time we were in Division One and you were just breaking through at that point.
02:54I mean, what do you recall of those times and the squad that we had around at those points?
02:59Yes, I think there was a trivia question someone asked at one of our end-of-season things
03:05or Christmas parties or something, just saying, like,
03:06who are the three names that are still involved at Sussex Cricket?
03:09And one of them was Millsy, who was playing in Division One at the time,
03:13and he obviously doesn't play Red Bull cricket anymore.
03:14And the other two are me and Ollie Robinson.
03:17So, yes, the squad's obviously almost fully changed from then.
03:22My memory to that time is that I had a very poor first-class debut,
03:26is my initial memory out here against Hampshire.
03:29I think that was the season we got relegated.
03:31So, those are my initial memories, which aren't great ones in first-class cricket.
03:35I know we had a really strong squad, but I think we struggled a lot with injuries that season.
03:39And it obviously gave me a couple of opportunities to play,
03:41but not great success in terms of getting relegated the first season in Division One.
03:47So, yes, I mean, ten years later, we've got another opportunity to
03:52hopefully stamp some more thoroughly in the top division
03:54and play a bit better than I did there last time.
03:56Exactly.
03:57Yes.
03:57Now, you're keen to write some new memories, I imagine,
03:59and hopefully have a few more moments like the run-out against Yorkshire last season.
04:04That would be fantastic to replicate in Division One, wouldn't it?
04:07Yes, for sure.
04:08It's obviously going to be tough.
04:10There's a lot more strong opposition in Division One.
04:13I think more the consistent threat in terms of the consistency of attacks,
04:17the constant pressure and stuff.
04:18But they're things we've been talking about, we're ready for.
04:21I think we've got a very strong squad.
04:23There's a lot of guys that have been playing away with England Lions and stuff in the last couple of years,
04:28and obviously Oli with his experience in Test cricket and stuff, and Jadon coming in, Dan Hughes.
04:33So, we've got experience coming in, big names.
04:36So, I think we'll go all right.
04:37Does this squad rank amongst the best that you've experienced during your time at Hove now?
04:42It would do, yes.
04:43It's definitely one of the most talented.
04:45I think last time I was at the club, my first period, it was a lot older,
04:49a lot more experience in terms of age and guys who'd done it consistently.
04:53But I think in terms of our ability as a squad on the ceiling, I think it's very, very high.
04:57I think there's obviously a lot of guys in our squad that will be pushing for international honours in the coming years.
05:03So, I definitely see there's a lot of potential.
05:04It's just about obviously putting it together now against the bigger clubs in Division One
05:08and hopefully sort of putting teams under pressure this year and showing them what we can do.
05:12And it's a new challenge for yourself this season.
05:15We were listening to Farvey inside and he was saying he wants to play a specialist third seamer this season.
05:21So, it strips away that dual all-rounder role that worked quite nicely this season, last season with yourself and Danny.
05:28Does it really focus the mind and channel your actions in terms of being challenged
05:33to potentially take that third seamer role by Farvey?
05:36Yes, it's obviously one of those things where you want to be part of the team no matter what.
05:44I feel like I've bowled really well in this pre-season so far.
05:48But yes, it's obviously going to be tough.
05:50There's competition for places now.
05:51There's serious competition around.
05:54So, look, Croke's bowled really well at the end of last season.
05:57Hunty's bowling really well at the moment.
05:58We have Ari who's bowled really well in the past for us and other seamers coming through as well.
06:02So, there's going to be a lot of competition for places.
06:05I think it's just about, obviously, consistency and being ready when you're called upon.
06:10I think that's just the biggest thing.
06:12I mean, there's going to be times when you don't play.
06:14There's going to be times when you do play.
06:15But I think when you are playing, you've got to be able to take your opportunity.
06:20I think that's the biggest thing this year is with people coming in.
06:22It's about being ready to take that chance.
06:24And again, it's happened to me before in terms of maybe not playing, maybe playing sort of thing.
06:30It's happened a couple of years ago.
06:32It happened a little bit last season.
06:33I struggled a little bit.
06:33So, I mean, I'm ready.
06:35I think I'm bowling really well at the moment.
06:37I'm batting OK at the moment.
06:38So, I'm ready when I'm needed.
06:39But hopefully we play.
06:41But, I mean, with competition in the squad, it is what it is.
06:44And is your aim to be a regular in all three formats this season and really force your way to be a regular in the T20 team as well?
06:51Yes, that's always the aim.
06:54Again, I struggled a little bit at times last season in T20.
06:56I think the role was trying to change me to batting a little bit higher up.
07:00We had a couple of injuries as well at the start of the campaign.
07:03So, the role was a little bit hit and miss, changed a bit.
07:06And I didn't really quite take my opportunities.
07:08So, I definitely want to play all three formats.
07:11That's why I'm here. It's my job.
07:13I want to play as many first-team games as I can.
07:16I want to keep being picked and I want to keep being fit for selection.
07:19So, yes, that's still the aim, obviously.
07:21But, yes, I mean, I'll just put myself in the best possible position and then see how we go.
07:26And, of course, you'll be a key part of the leadership group,
07:28no matter whether you're captain, vice-captain, third, fourth choice, so on.
07:32Is it something you'd be potentially interested in, in long term, to be a captain, vice-captain in any format?
07:40Yes, to be honest, I haven't really thought about it too much in terms of leading and captaincy-wise.
07:44I think we've got a leadership group at the club and I'm happy to be part of that.
07:49And just sort of being slightly older than a few of the lads now, being on the edge of my way towards 30.
07:55Yes, it's obviously something that I'd take pride in, obviously, like being around the senior group
08:00and hopefully offer as much as I can to the younger players when they need it.
08:03And it's always open, like being able to talk to people about things that are cricket,
08:07whatever, like cricket, not cricket, stuff like that.
08:09So, yes, I enjoy that sort of role in the dressing room and it's nice to be seen in that light.
08:15But, yes, I think the captaincy thing, I haven't really thought about it.
08:18Obviously, Simmo is doing a great job and Tamal in the T20.
08:20So, yes, I can't say that's really been too much in my mind.
08:23But in the future, if it came up, I'd love to lead the club, obviously.
08:27But, yes, that's way down the line at the moment.
08:30Fantastic. And we'll finish off with a few quickfire questions, a bit like last season.
08:34I recall sitting here last year.
08:37Firstly, what ground are you most looking forward to playing at this season?
08:40Trent Bridge.
08:42Any reason why?
08:44I just like the atmosphere there, the surface.
08:47And I've had some good performances there in the past.
08:49So, yes, Trent Bridge.
08:50Yes, a favourite of mine as well.
08:53So, if we look at all three formats, I'm going to split them up.
08:56Who's going to be our highest run scorer in each competition?
09:04I'm going to go first class, Tamal Sop.
09:12I'm going to say T20 is going to be Dan Hughes.
09:14Boring answer.
09:16He's been the favourite amongst everyone so far.
09:19And 50 overs is an interesting one,
09:21because I don't think, it depends how people go in the T20,
09:24if they're going to be around or not.
09:25But, I'd say if it's between Hainsey and Clarke,
09:33I reckon at the top of the order.
09:36I'm going to go with Tom Clarke if he doesn't get picked up in the 100,
09:39because I think there's a good chance he does.
09:40So, yeah.
09:42I like that, it's rogue.
09:43And then bowlers, who's going to be our top wicket takers in each format?
09:49I'm going to go with Ollie Robinson, first class.
09:54Millsy, Tamal Mills, T20.
09:58And Henry Crocombe, 50 overs.
10:04I like it.
10:05And finally, who's going to be our breakout star or our wildcard this season?
10:11The thing is, I wouldn't class anyone as a breakout,
10:13because of obviously being involved,
10:15knowing all of them and what they're capable of.
10:17And obviously, a few of the guys had good years in the last couple of years,
10:20breaking out in terms of Hunty, Crokes, Colesy.
10:26So, if you're thinking of a breakout,
10:29I think Sean Hunt's going to have a great year.
10:31So, I'll go with Hunty,
10:33even though I already think he's already had his breakout.
10:36But, I think he's going to have a good year this year.
10:38Okay, fantastic.
10:39Thank you very much for joining us, Finn.
10:40Thanks, Will.
10:40Cheers.