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Sussex’s most probable XI for Sunday drops Tom Clark through injury and almost certainly loses Ollie Robinson to England Test duty, leaving Paul Farbrace with a reshaped side that needs to do something the last three haven’t: win at home. Henry Crocombe’s return after his England Lions stint gives the attack some cover, but without Clark’s top-order aggression, the batting looks fragile above position four. Kent won the reverse fixture. Sussex is at the bottom. The margin for error on Sunday is zero.
Tom Clark has been Sussex’s most dangerous top-order bat in 2026, and his injury couldn’t have arrived at a worse point. He picked up a leg injury during the May 30 defeat to Middlesex, yet Farbrace kept him in the XI, with Jack Carson running for him as Sussex chased an unreachable 214. Clark still scored 31 from 13 balls, barely mobile. He was confirmed absent for the June 2 trip to Hampshire, and no return date has been announced ahead of June 7.
That loss reshapes how Sussex scores runs at the top. Harrison Ward made 40 against Hampshire, and Daniel Hughes added 31, so the openers aren’t the problem. The problem is what happens if either falls early. Without Clark at three, there’s no proven aggressor to absorb the gap.
Ollie Robinson is in England’s squad for the 1st Test against New Zealand at Lord’s, which runs from June 4 to 8. The Sussex vs Kent fixture sits on June 7, squarely inside that Test window. Robinson would need an ECB release to feature, and that hasn’t been confirmed as of June 5.
His absence matters. Sussex conceded 213-4 at home to Middlesex when the attack was missing both Robinson and Crocombe. Briggs held things together, but the seamers leaked badly. If Robinson is cleared to play, the attack looks considerably stronger. If not, Farbrace turns to Danny Lamb, who bowled 4-0-39-1 against Hampshire, and gives at least one additional option with the ball.
Based on the June 2 XI against Hampshire, with Clark ruled out and Robinson’s availability still unresolved, Sussex’s most probable lineup reads as follows.
| # | Player | Role | Bat Position |
| 1 | Harrison Ward | Batter | Opener |
| 2 | Daniel Hughes | Batter | Opener |
| 3 | James Coles | All-rounder | No. 3 |
| 4 | Tom Alsop | WK-Batter | No. 4 |
| 5 | Jack Leaning | All-rounder | No. 5 |
| 6 | John Simpson | WK-Batter | No. 6 |
| 7 | Tom Price | All-rounder | No. 7 |
| 8 | Danny Briggs | Bowler | No. 8 |
| 9 | Henry Crocombe | Bowler | No. 9 |
| 10 | Lamb / Robinson* | Bowler | No. 10 |
| 11 | Tymal Mills (c) | Bowler | No. 11 |
*Robinson requires ECB release from England’s 1st Test squad. If unavailable, Danny Lamb slots in.
The County Ground at Hove tends to offer movement off the surface in the first six overs, particularly in June conditions, before settling into a batter-friendly deck. That early period is where Sussex’s bowling combinations matter most. Briggs was their tightest operator against Hampshire and Middlesex, but relying on a spinner to control the powerplay against Kent’s top order is not a plan that wins you T20s.
Crocombe returned from his Lions stint with figures of 4-65 across that stint, took 0/35 from three overs against Hampshire on return, and is fit. He’s the third seamer Farbrace needs to be active, not warming a seat. If Robinson is released, Sussex have genuine pace at both ends of the innings.
Sussex have lost to Kent, Middlesex, and Hampshire in this tournament. They beat no one of note in their single win. That record reflects a side that hasn’t found its combination, not a side that’s been desperately unlucky. The batting collapsed to 144 all out at Southampton after reaching 67 without loss. The middle order didn’t bat. That has to change on Sunday at Hove.
If Sussex show up with an under-strength attack and a fragile middle order still searching for confidence, another defeat is the most likely outcome. The SUS vs KEN Vitality Blast 2026 Match 47 playing XI that Farbrace puts out has to be the most attack-heavy combination available. Anything less, and the South Group bottom slot stops feeling temporary.
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What is Sussex’s predicted playing XI for the Vitality Blast 2026 Match 47 vs Kent?
Sussex’s most probable XI is: Ward, Hughes, Coles, Alsop (wk), Leaning, Simpson (wk), Price, Briggs, Crocombe, Lamb or Robinson (ECB release dependent), Mills (c).* Robinson needs ECB release from England’s 1st Test squad (June 4–8, Lord’s) to feature.
Is Tom Clark fit for Sussex vs Kent on June 7?
Tom Clark is expected to miss the June 7 match. He injured his leg vs Middlesex on May 30, batted with Jack Carson as runner scoring 31 from 13 balls, and was confirmed absent for the June 2 Hampshire fixture.
Is Ollie Robinson available for Sussex in Match 47?
Robinson is most likely unavailable on June 7. He’s in England’s Test squad for the 1st Test vs New Zealand at Lord’s (June 4–8), with no ECB release confirmed as of June 5.
When and where is the Sussex vs Kent Vitality Blast 2026 Match 47?
Sussex vs Kent is on Sunday, 7 June 2026 at 1:30 PM BST. It’s South Group Match 47, held at The County Ground (1st Central County Ground), Hove.
Where does Sussex stand in the Vitality Blast 2026 South Group?
Sussex are bottom of the South Group with 1 win and 3 losses from 4 matches (4 points). Hampshire leads the group; Sussex has lost to Kent, Middlesex, and Hampshire.
