2020 top performers: Jack Carson

In a season like no other, countless young players came from obscurity to highlight the bright future county cricket has, with Jack Carson a prime example.

The 19-year-old, who has been with Sussex since he was an under-12, starred with the ball throughout the summer and was a shining light as soon as he made his debut against Hampshire.

While others might have been nervous when making their first-class bow, Carson took it all in his stride with five wickets on debut proving a sign of things to come.

The Northern Irishman’s off-spin bamboozled Hampshire’s Division One batsmen, with Joe Weatherley, Tom Alsop and Ian Holland among his victims.

Carson finished with match figures of 5-74 from his 22 overs against our south coast rivals, and he continued his impressive start to life as a first-class cricketer against Middlesex at Radlett.

Nick Gubbins, Martin Andersson, Miguel Cummins and Tim Murtagh all fell to Carson’s off-spin in the first innings as the teenager continued to show he meant business in county cricket.

After just two appearances in the Bob Willis Trophy, Carson had already threatened to take his maiden first-class five-fer against both Essex and Middlesex, but fell just short.

He didn’t need to wait much longer however, with his first five-wicket haul in first-class cricket coming in grand surroundings at The Kia Oval.

England international, Rory Burns, and his opening partner, Scott Borthwick were both early victims on a memorable day for Carson, before he cleaned up the lower order to dismiss James Taylor, Daniel Moriarty and Amar Virdi in quick succession.

Carson become well recognised across social media during the 2020 season for his big celebrations, but he certainly saved his most emphatic for The Oval and who can blame him.

The match against Surrey was Carson’s last of a stunning debut season, and after the game, he spoke about how proud he was to be playing cricket with players he’d grown up admiring.

We can’t wait to see him play alongside them again next year…