James Kirtley to leave Sussex bowling coach role at end of October 2026

Sussex bowling coach James Kirtley is set to leave his role at the end of October amid financial concerns and the structural changes at the club.

Kirtley, who is 51 years old, took up the full-time bowling coach position in November 2019, having previously served the county in a consultancy capacity for two years. His association with Sussex as a player spanned 16 years, during which the county won three County Championship titles and three limited-overs trophies.

During his time as bowling coach, Sussex won the 2024 Rothesay County Championship Division Two title and subsequently consolidated in the top half of Division One in consecutive seasons. The county also qualified for two T20 Finals Days under his watch.

Kirtley worked with England players Jofra Archer and Ollie Robinson during his coaching tenure, and also guided Lions bowler Henry Crocombe, who took hat-tricks in back-to-back Championship games this season. Kirtley's 18-year-old son Ollie made three One-Day Cup appearances for Sussex this summer.

Why is Kirtley leaving Sussex?

Sussex Cricket confirmed that the parting is by mutual agreement and is directly linked to a restructure of the coaching staff at the county. No further specific reason beyond the restructure was disclosed in the official announcement. Incoming head coach Matt Walker described the situation as a 'restructure of the coaching staff'.

"I leave Sussex with a heavy heart, but also with my head held high. I take real comfort in knowing the team is in a stronger place and that, alongside many others, I played a part in helping to make that happen," Kirtley said in an official club statement.

Kirtley's exit is the latest in a series of changes to the Sussex backroom staff. Head coach Paul Farbrace has a pending move to Lancashire as director of cricket, while batting coach Grant Flower is set for an imminent switch to Surrey.

Who will replace Kirtley as Sussex bowling coach?

Sussex have confirmed that Matt Walker, in his capacity as incoming head coach, will lead the search for a new bowling coach. No appointment has been announced as of October 20, 2026, and no successor has been named.

The search for a replacement comes at a challenging period for the county. Sussex are operating under an ECB salary cap until 2028, imposed after sustained operating losses. A number of players are also leaving the club, including Henry Crocombe, John Simpson, Fynn Hudson-Prentice, Daniel Hughes and Tom Alsop.