Sussex sign young seamer Sean Hunt

The 19-year old came through the Surrey academy, earning their academy player of the year award in 2019 after making five appearances for the second XI

Sussex have signed highly-rated 19-year old bowler Sean Hunt ahead of the 2021 season.

The Guildford-native came through the Surrey academy, earning their academy player of the year award in 2019 after making five appearances for the second XI in all formats.

Hunt, a left-arm seamer, attracted further attention last summer when he took eight wickets to help England Young Lions South defeat their Northern counterparts.

Commenting on his first professional contract, Hunt said: "I am really looking forward to starting my journey playing cricket for Sussex. The approach from Sussex came completely out of the blue – but when the offer came to play for a such prestigious county, I had no hesitation in accepting such a fantastic opportunity.

"I am fortunate enough to be spending the winter in Australia with the Darren Lehmann Cricket Academy in Adelaide, where I am focused on improving my cricketing skills in preparation for the upcoming season. As part of my development in Australia I am playing grade cricket for West Torrens CC and this is really helping me to put into practise the training from the Academy.

"Sean has huge potential and fits our strategy of developing young cricketers of the right talent and attitude." 🗣️

Ian Salisbury and James Kirtley are "delighted" with the signing of @SeanHunt139:

— Sussex Cricket (@SussexCCC) January 20, 2021

"I will be joining the squad in March or April and I can’t wait to return to Sussex, meet the rest of the squad and challenge for a place in any of the teams."

Sussex Cricket’s red-ball and one-day head coach, Ian Salisbury, voiced his pleasure at adding another promising youngster to his squad.

"To have Jamie Atkins and Henry Crocombe training with the England Young Lions squad already, and now to add a further member Sean Hunt to our squad is very exciting," he said.

"Sean has huge potential and fits into our strategy of developing young cricketers of the right talent and attitude to bring sustained success to Sussex and produce England cricketers."

Meanwhile, T20 head coach, James Kirtley added: "I am delighted that we have been able to sign Sean. He is someone we have been watching for a couple of years.

County cricket ins and outs 2021: Signings, transfers, squad updates

"He has been one of the most successful bowlers at Academy level in the South East and has bowled a significant number of overs. He has a bowling engine; he is left arm and he swings it. He knows the areas he needs to improve on, and I can see some outstanding potential."