Atkins, Carson and Crocombe all sign first Sussex contracts

Sussex Cricket are delighted to announce that Jamie Atkins, Jack Carson and Henry Crocombe have all signed their first rookie contracts with the club.

The teenage trio are all graduates of the Sussex Cricket Pathway, with Carson and Crocombe making their first-class debuts this summer, and have all signed two-year rookie deals.

19-year-old Carson impressed with his off-spin throughout the 2020 season, and has been with Sussex since he was an under-12.

The Northern Irishman was our leading wicket-taker in the Bob Willis Trophy, above the likes of Ollie Robinson and George Garton, with 15 dismissals to his name.

Carson’s average of 22.66 was the best of any Sussex bowler who played three or more Bob Willis Trophy matches, and his best bowling figures – and maiden first-class five-fer – came against Surrey.

Like Carson, 19-year-old Crocombe also shone in the Bob Willis Trophy after making his first-class debut in the tournament.

The right-arm seamer has been with Sussex since he was an under-12, and made his first appearance for the senior side in the win against Hampshire at the start of August.

Crocombe missed just one Bob Willis Trophy match all summer, taking three wickets in total with Essex captain, Tom Westley his first ever victim during the narrow defeat at Hove.

The form shown by Crocombe earned him an England Young Lions call-up for a ‘North vs. South’ match at Loughborough last month.

18-year-old Atkins was also included in that Young Lions squad, and was clocked at 88mph during a spell which saw him take an impressive five-fer against the ‘North’.

The right-arm seamer, who received a Matthew Hobden Trust scholarship to attend Eastbourne College and is a member of Roffey CC, is yet to make his first-team debut for Sussex, but has bowled consistently well throughout the age groups since joining the club’s pathway as an under-10.

Performance Director, Keith Greenfield said: “Jack, Henry and Jamie are just three of a very exciting young crop of cricketers that are coming out of our Academy system under Richard Halsall’s guidance.

“Jack and Henry have both shown that they will be valuable assets to Sussex Cricket going forward in the squad with their skill and character that has been clear to see, and Jamie will show us exactly the same when he gets his chance with his extra pace and bounce.

“All three have exciting futures ahead of them here at the club.”