Sussex duo extend contracts

Sussex right-handers Harry Finch and Ben Brown have put pen-to-paper on new one-year contract extensions that will remain at The BrightonandHoveJobs.com County Ground until at least the end of the 2016 season.

Crawley-born wicketkeeper-batsman Brown, 26, made his first-class debut back in 2007 and has gone on to make nearly 3000 runs in 67 matches after progressing through the Sussex Youth and Academy set-up.

He made his first-class best of 163 during the LV=County Championship match with Durham last summer, the highest-score ever by a Sussex number seven as he shared an incredible record sixth-wicket partnership of 335 with Luke Wright.

“I’m really pleased to have signed again for the club I have supported as a kid and hopefully over the next two years I can help the squad add to the rich history of the club and get back to winning trophies,” Brown told the Sussex website.

“That’s the priority now as we have been close in four-day cricket but now we need to kick on as a squad and challenge on all fronts. I’m looking forward to being a part of that big challenge over the next two years and hopefully beyond.”

20 year-old all-rounder Finch signed a full professional contract following the 2013 season and the Hastings-born product of Sussex’s Age Group and Academy system has experience with the England Under-19’s setup.

He made his T20 debut for Sussex in 2014 against Sri Lanka and also came to the fore in the final Royal London One-Day Cup outing of the season, as he smashed an unbeaten 92 from 58 deliveries against Glamorgan at Hove.

“I’m honoured to have been offered another year,” Finch said of his new deal.  “I’m looking forward to working hard this summer and hopefully pushing for more opportunities. We have a fantastic squad and everyone is really excited about what we can achieve in the upcoming seasons.”

Here is Ben Brown in action with Luke Wright as they broke Sussex history against Durham last summer.