Sussex sign promising young seamer Sean Hunt

Sussex Cricket is delighted to announce the signing of highly rated, young left-arm seamer Sean Hunt.

The tall 19-year-old from Guildford is a product of the Surrey academy where his development and performances have impressed.

Sean was named the county’s academy player of the year in 2019, the same year that he made his second team debut for Surrey, playing one Championship and four Trophy (one-day) and matches.

🏆 ACADEMY PLAYER OF THE YEAR - Sean Hunt 🏆

WATCH LIVE ➡️ https://t.co/Ubw4XZpQJC pic.twitter.com/pQCqrbM8Fa

— Surrey Cricket (@surreycricket) September 26, 2019

Last summer, he caught the eye with his eight wickets for a Young Lions South team in a four-day match against Young Lions North.

That performance included a five-wicket haul in the North’s second innings, helping set-up victory for a South side that also included young Sussex professionals, Jamie Atkins and Henry Crocombe, as well as pathway player James Coles.

Reacting to his first professional contract, Sean said, “I am really looking forward to starting my journey playing cricket for Sussex. The approach from Sussex came completely out of the blue – but when the offer came to play for a such prestigious county, I had no hesitation in accepting such a fantastic opportunity.

“I am fortunate enough to be spending the winter in Australia with the Darren Lehmann Cricket Academy in Adelaide, where I am focused on improving my cricketing skills in preparation for the upcoming season. As part of my development in Australia I am playing grade cricket for West Torrens CC and this is really helping me to put into practise the training from the Academy.

“I will be joining the squad in March or April and I can’t wait to return to Sussex, meet the rest of the squad and challenge for a place in any of the teams.”

Sussex Cricket’s men’s red-ball and one-day head coach, Ian Salisbury said, “To have Jamie Atkins and Henry Crocombe training with the England Young Lions squad already, and now to add a further member Sean Hunt to our squad is very exciting.

“Sean has huge potential and fits into our strategy of developing young cricketers of the right talent and attitude to bring sustained success to Sussex and produce England cricketers.”

On the decision to secure Sean’s services, Sussex Cricket’s men’s T20 head coach, James Kirtley added, “I am delighted that we have been able to sign Sean. He is someone we have been watching for a couple of years. He has been one of the most successful bowlers at Academy level in the South East and has bowled a significant number of overs. He has a bowling engine; he is left arm and he swings it. He knows the areas he needs to improve on, and I can see some outstanding potential.

“He has taken himself to Australia to improve his game and we have been in communication with him and his coaches and things seem to be going really well. He is involved with England Young Lions along with Henry Crocombe and Jamie Atkins so he will know a few players at Sussex which will help whilst also adding to hopefully a really exciting future bowling attack.”