Hodd pens new deal with Sussex

The former Bexhill Cricket Club star made his first-class debut for Sussex against the touring Zimbabweans at Hove in 2003. After moving to Surrey for a brief stint in 2004, he returned to the County Ground in 2006.

“I want to help the club move forward as much as possible,” said Hodd. “Obviously we’ve gone up to Division One and we’re serious about putting a title challenge in.”

Former England under-19 international Hodd has made four career hundreds, his latest coming against Middlesex in an LV County Championships Division Two clash during May.

“I want to do myself justice and perform to the best of my ability. I’m definitely looking to cement my place in the side in all three formats of the game,” he continued.

The 26-year-old was a regular in the side’s one-day matches last season whilst battling for the gloves with emerging ‘keeper Ben Brown in the Championship campaign.

“One-day cricket worked quite well for me last year, but my Championship form fell off a little bit and I also got healthy competition from Ben. I think that is good for both of us and hopefully it will spur me on to improve my game,” Hodd added.

Hodd, a one-time Bexhill High School and Bexhill College student, has made 48 career first class appearances (16,86 runs, 93 catches, 11 stumpings), played in 37 one-day games (552 runs, 29 catches, eight stumpings) and taken the field in 34 Twenty20 matches (199 runs, 11 catches, nine stumpings).

Sussex coach Mark Robinson said: “Everybody knows that Hoddy has it in him to be an outstanding wicketkeeper-batsman, and it is now up to him to produce the results and justify his undoubted talent.”