Young cricketer targets Sussex deal

The 19-year-old Bexhill-based wicketkeeper claimed two catches but the inclement weather prevented him from getting his chance with the bat in the drawn friendly at Hove.

With a taste of the big time tucked under his belt, Hodd is keen to sample a diet of regular first class cricket. He said: "It was fantastic, really good. It was good to make my debut against Zimbabwe but I would have liked to have made it against another county. I think the level of competition wasn't as high because we rested a few players.

"All the feedback I've had has been very positive. I was really happy - I did nothing wrong and what I did get I made the most of although I didn't have to do that much. It was different, it just had a different feel about it. It felt really professional. I was pretty nervous but the whole game was good and I'm hungry for more."

The problem facing Hodd is Sussex have a wealth of wicketkeeping talent in Matt Prior and Tim Ambrose. "I've got two of the best young keepers in the country above me and it's going to be very difficult to get into the first team," he admitted.

The former Bexhill Cricket Club star now turns out for Sussex Premier League high-flyers Horsham.