[3][4] Signing professional terms for his home county Sussex in 1994, Newell joined his elder brother Keith on the Sussex playing staff for the 1995 season, having enjoyed a successful year at Lord's on the young cricketers staff.

Eventually returning to the first team, following a good innings against the touring South Africans, Newell scored one more century against Somerset before a drastic loss of form led to his being dropped and making no further appearances for the county.

At the end of the season Newell declined the offer of a one-year deal, and sought pastures new.

Steady progression through the divisions and in national club competitions led to county 2nd team appointments, culminating in his addition to the reserve list of the first-class panel in 2017.

He umpired his initial first-class fixture that year at Canterbury as Kent played Leeds/Bradford MCCU in a pre-season friendly.