Eight to leave Sussex as Farbrace considers future

County Championship leaders Sussex have told eight players they will not be offered contracts at the end of the season as they aim to regain control of their finances.

However, head coach Paul Farbrace may stay at the club in a part-time director of cricket role, having earlier said he would be leaving Hove.

"I'd rather keep players than me stay on a full-time basis," Farbrace told BBC Radio Sussex.

"The plan would be for me to work two days a week in the winter and three days in the summer, supporting the new head coach."

Sussex's finances are under strict control by the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB), following losses of £1.3m in 2025, including a salary cap for the next three years.

They were also given a 12-point deduction in the County Championship for "sustained operating losses", although they have since risen to the top of Division One in spite of the penalty.

They are facing a significant cut to their playing budget at the end of the season, and multiple players have deals expiring this summer.

Those include new England squad member Henry Crocombe, wicketkeeper and club captain John Simpson, batter Tom Clark, all-rounder Fynn Hudson-Prentice, bowler Danny Lamb and Scotland international Charlie Tear.

"We have offered contracts to some of the out-of-contract players, none as yet have confirmed either way what they're doing," Farbrace said.

"We've told eight players that there's no contract for them at the end of the season, which isn't based on ability or performance, it's based on finances.

"This group of players have worked exceptionally hard to get this team in the position that we're in, so it's heartbreaking to have to have conversations [like that] with players."

Farbrace is leading the appointment process for his successor as head coach but says his own future will depend on who Sussex appoint as their new chair and what their vision is.

"I'll certainly be more comfortable if it's someone trying to keep the cricket as strong as we can.

"If It's going to be a case of keep cutting money out of the cricket budget and have a period of six, seven or eight years languishing in Division Two, that's not for me.

"I feel that I'm responsible for the position we're in – I'm not the only person, but I'm honest enough to put my hand up and say mistakes were made over the last year, financially.

"It's had a massive effect on our team and our set-up, but I'm keen to try and help keep the group together."