 Sugden made his debut for Derbyshire in the 1882 season in June against a team of touring Australians.The team consisted of eleven past and future Australia Test cricketers, including Frederick Spofforth and Alec Bannerman.Australia won the match by an innings margin, while Sugden made little impression from the opening order, being bowled in the first innings and being out hit wicket off the bowling of Harry Boyle in the second.