It was the first final of the Gillette Cup, which was the first English domestic knock-out competition between first-class sides.

[1] Sussex overcame Kent, Yorkshire and Northamptonshire to reach the final, while Worcestershire beat Surrey, Glamorgan and Lancashire.

[2] The final was played in front of a sell-out crowd of 24,000 people at Lord's Cricket Ground in London on 7 September 1963.

Jim Parks, Jr. was Sussex' leading run-scorer, with 57 runs, and his side were bowled out for 168, with just under 5 of their allocated 65 overs remaining.

Dexter made use of the conditions, by selecting his fastest bowler, John Snow, to bowl.