Sussex trio sign new contracts

Sean Hunt and James Coles have signed contract extensions while academy wicketkeeper-batter Charlie Tear has put pen to paper on his first professional contract

A trio of Sussex youngsters have put pen to paper on new contracts, with Sean Hunt and James Coles extending their stays with the club and academy wicketkeeper-batter Charlie Tear earning his first professional contract.

Hunt, a left-arm seamer, was named Surrey’s academy player of the year in 2019 before joining Sussex ahead of the 2020 season. The 20-year-old has made eight first-class appearances for Sussex, taking 15 wickets, but has been restricted to just two outings in 2022 due to a thumb injury sustained during the winter.  

His new contract will see him remain at the club until at least 2024.

Allrounder Coles, a product of Sussex’s player development partnership with Oxfordshire Cricket Board, has signed a contract extension to 2023.

He has made four first-class and seven List A appearances for Sussex since making his debut as a 16-year-old in 2020 and recently helped Oxfordshire to the National Counties T20 title.

^{Sean Hunt will remain at Sussex until at least 2024 [Steve Bardens/Getty Images]}

17-year-old Tear has impressed for both the academy and Seaford College as well as representing Scotland Under-19s on five occasions.

Commenting on signing his first professional contract, Tear said: "I am so happy to have signed my first contract with my home county, Sussex. I can’t wait to get started when I join up with the team in July."

Head coach Ian Salisbury said: "We’ve had our eye on Charlie for a while, he’s a player that has been coached brilliantly in the academy and by Chris Adams at Seaford College.

"He is another young exciting player that will help to underpin the future success of Sussex in all competitions.

"Charlie is in the same age bracket as the likes of Archie Lenham, Dan Ibrahim and James Coles, all of which you can see developing into key players for the club in the years to come."

On Hunt and Coles, he added: "Sean is continuing to show his promise, he is still only 20 years old, and his potential is clear to see. He has worked hard both tactically and physically over the past year, so I am excited to see him blossom as a Sussex cricketer.

"James made his debut at 16 and continues to impress whenever he is involved with the team. He bowled beautifully this season at Derbyshire against high-class opposition.

"He is a player that alongside many others in our ranks is a key part of our strategy to develop homegrown talent that will one day make up the core of our first-team squad."