New structure for Sussex cricket to be decided at Hove AGM

Sussex County Cricket Club and the Sussex Cricket Board may merge if members agree at the club’s annual general meeting (AGM) tomorrow evening (Wednesday 26 March).

The aim is to create an integrated organisation called Sussex Cricket from Sunday 1 November next year.

Sussex chairman Jim May said: “This is a logical next step in our Building Partnerships programme which we started in 2006 which has seen the county club and our colleagues in the 245 affiliated recreational clubs in Sussex working closely together.

“It has the full backing of the ECB (England and Wales Cricket Board) who are themselves responsible for both professional and recreational cricket.

“We believe there are clear benefits from merging the bodies. They range from improved marketing to a better pathway for home-grown players.”

Sussex will also be electing a president for the 2014-15 term, with the incumbent Jim Parks expected to retain the position for a second year.

The former Sussex and England wicketkeeper scored more than 36,000 runs in his career, following in the footsteps of his father, also Jim, who played for Sussex between the wars.

Once the formal part of the evening is over, there will be an open forum for members.

They will have the chance to put questions to Mr May, chief executive Zac Toumazi and cricket performance manager Keith Greenfield.

Mark Robinson and the players will be in Dubai concluding pre-season training.

The AGM is due to take place in the Spen Cama Pavilion at the County Ground in Hove at 7pm tomorrow.