Sussex reward seam bowling spearhead Ollie Robinson with three-year contract extension

The 26-year-old has taken 137 first-class wickets over the course of the last two County Championship campaigns

• County hub

Ollie Robinson has signed a three-year contract extension with Sussex.

The 26-year-old, who has taken 137 first-class wickets over the course of the last two County Championship campaigns, was named as the county’s player of the season for a second consecutive year after his 2019 exploits.

His form also earned him an England Lions call-up, while he has improved as a white-ball bowler, playing his part in a T20 Blast campaign that was ended only by eventual runners-up Worcestershire at the quarter-final stage.

Robinson has taken 229 wickets in four-day cricket at an average of 22.37, including staggering match figures of 14 for 135 against Middlesex in 2019 – the best bowling performance by a Sussex player since 1964.

“I’m delighted to have extended my stay at the club.” said Robinson, who began his professional career with Yorkshire.

“It’s something I’ve been working towards over the last few years since securing my place here at Sussex. To get the extra three years is really satisfying, and a nice bit of security to take the club forward.

“My form is probably just down to consistency, and a lot of hard work. I’ve worked a lot over the last two or three years on fitness over the winters, and the rewards have come in the summer.

“I also want to push for England honours. I’m going away with the Lions on Friday and that will be great.

“I’m just going to push as hard as I can and hopefully I can put my stamp on that in Australia and push for higher honours.”

Head coach Jason Gillespie added: “His performances over the last few years have been very impressive and he leads our Championship attack very well.

“He is a real student of the game and is increasingly showing maturity and leadership qualities in everything he does.”