Of the debutants against Sussex all except Hollick would have made their debut in the Combined Services game if it had gone ahead. For the Sussex game CJM Kenny; NC Cantwell and SSJ Huey were not available and from the team as selected JS Pollock cried off and was replaced by AP Hollick.
This match was ruined by rain. Play did not begin until 3:15 PM on the first day and then only on a newly-cut wicket. Only eight overs could be bowled on the second day. Sussex included Oakman, who had played recently in two tests against Australia. DS Shepherd was playing for England at the Oval, JM Parks was 12th man in the same match and GHG Doggart was not available.
Ireland spent almost 2½ hours totalling 82. Footwork was difficult on the wet wicket but there was too much flashing on the off-side and tickling to the leg-trap. Marlar used eight bowlers, six of whom took wickets. James, at a quickish pace, looked the best of them. He took 2-7 in seven overs. Bergin and Martin opened the batting. After 20 minutes Bergin was caught at short slip off Marlar's first ball. He had not scored and the total was two! Half an hour later Warke was caught at second slip off Thompson for eight. At tea the score was 22-2 after an hour's play. Martin and Neville took the score to 31, then James came on and in his second over he bowled Martin with a good break back. Martin had batted 80 minutes for his 17. Lewis attacked and had made nine when he snicked a rising ball to Oakman at first slip off James. 44-4. Hollick made a single and was then bowled by Potter on a near full toss at 51. Neville was run out went Fawcett failed to respond to his call. He had hit three fours in his 13 but it was a rather precarious innings. Bowden left at 58 and Wilson at 63. At 69 Fawcett was caught at short leg off Marlar for seven. Fee and Ferris added 13 for the last wicket before Oakman bowled Fee.
At 6:15 PM Ferris bowled the first ball of the Sussex innings to Oakman who hit it straight to Martin in the gully. Martin took the catch at the second attempt. With the last ball of his second over Ferris had Potter caught at the wicket. Smith and Suttle played out time at 7-2. Smith had an escape when another flyer from Ferris dropped just short of slip.
Play started on the second day at 12:30 PM but there was very little of it. Play lasted from 12.30 to 12:45 PM and then from 2:15 to 2.25 PM. The match was abandoned at three o'clock due to rain. On the second day eight overs in all were bowled and the score was taken to 27-2.