The majority of his 173 first-class appearances were made for Gloucestershire, who he captained in the two years prior to the First World War.

On the tour, Sewell was the leading run-scorer for the tourists, accruing 1,038 runs at an average of 30.52, although none of the matches were considered to be first-class.

[5] He was appointed as secretary of Gloucestershire in 1912, and captain the subsequent year, taking over both positions from Gilbert Jessop.

[2] He appeared more regularly at this time, playing at least nineteen matches in each of the three years prior to the cessation of cricket due to the First World War.

[5][6] Described in his Wisden obituary as a "hard-hitting, attractive batsman",[2] Sewell scored 7,562 runs in first-class cricket at an average of 26.07, and hit nine centuries.