Teenagers awarded Sussex CCC junior contracts

The pair have been given the squad numbers 12 and 16 respectively at The BrightonandHoveJobs.com County Ground, Hove, following their graduation through the Academy setup, as they aim to push towards first team honours.

Finch, an 18 year-old all-rounder who bowls right-arm medium-fast, hails from Hastings and began his Sussex career playing for the Under-13 team.

Jackson, also 18, is a right-handed wicketkeeper-batsman from Eastbourne who has also represented Sussex through from the Under-13s County Age Group squad.

Both players have already made their 1st XI debut, in the non-first-class match against Leeds/Bradford MCCU last summer, and most recently, the pair have been starring for England Under-19s on their tour of South Africa for the Youth Test and ODI series.

Finch said: “I’m absolutely thrilled to be given the news, as it is something that I have been working towards for a very long time.

“This is the first big step on the ladder to what I hope will be a successful career with Sussex.”

Jackson said of the new status: “I owe a lot to the County Age Group coaches at Sussex and my time in the EPP, and both Keith Greenfield and Andy Cornford have been a great help in the Academy.

“I am really looking forward to representing Sussex and I’m delighted at the opportunity that Mark Robinson and Carl Hopkinson have given me.”

Club Coach Carl Hopkinson said: “Both players made good strides in the second XI last season and made excellent contributions throughout the summer, having gained some invaluable experience.

“They will both be hoping to use this season as a springboard into the full professional ranks and hopefully we’ll see them make their mark on first team cricket in the future.”