Sussex's Tom Hinley signs first professional contract

The 18-year-old made one appearance for the first team last season, scoring 20 runs and bowling six overs against Leicestershire in September

Tom Hinley has signed a professional contract with Sussex for the 2022 season.

The 18-year-old made his first-team debut in the County Championship last season, scoring 20 runs and bowling six overs against Leicestershire in September.

Playing alongside him in that match were six other players aged under 21 – Sean Hunt, Henry Crocombe, Joseph Sarro, Jack Carson, Oli Carter and Ali Orr – while youngsters Crocombe, Harrison Ward and Jamie Atkins have all signed new contracts in recent weeks as Sussex secure the services of their academy talent.

Hinley, a student at Loughborough University, joined the Sussex academy at Under-11s and captained the club’s age-group teams from Under-16s. He also led a London & East side to the semi-finals of the ECB Super 4s as well as making his second XI debut.

In six appearances for Sussex’s second team, he scored 131 runs and took four wickets across all formats, including a 75-ball 77 in a four-day game against Gloucestershire at Rockhampton.

^{Henry Crocombe (left) and Jamie Atkins have also signed new contracts in recent weeks as Sussex secure the futures of their youngsters [Mike Hewitt/Getty Images]}

Commenting on signing his first contract, Hinley said: "I'm delighted to have signed a deal with the club I've been with since I was ten. I'm grateful for the opportunity to learn, improve and hopefully contribute towards winning games for Sussex.”

Sussex’s Championship and One-Day head coach, Ian Salisbury, backed the teenager to enjoy a successful future with the club, stating: "Tom’s been someone we’ve paid very close attention to during his time on the academy. As a top-order batter, a very promising left-arm wrist spinner and a gun fielder, he has huge talent across the disciplines.

"We got a chance to look at Tom around the professional set-up at the end of the summer and liked what we saw. We think he’s got a bright future at Sussex and this contract will allow him to complete his studies while making sure he continues to develop as a cricketer."

T20 head coach, James Kirtley, added: "Tom had a really good season last year and impressed at the Super 4s.  

"It would have been easy to overlook his performances with many of his contemporaries playing first team cricket, which indeed Tom did at Leicester, but he is an exciting striker of a cricket ball and there are very few left arm wrist spinners around, which gives him a unique edge. He quietly goes about his business, and I look forward to seeing his development."

Main photo: JRMPhotos/John Mallett