Brown and Smith commit to Sussex

Two of Sussex’s most promising youngsters, wicketkeper-batsman Ben Brown and all-rounder Tom Smith, have agreed new two-year contracts at the county.

Brown, 19, appeared once in Sussex’s successful NatWest Pro40 Division One campaign and in the Twenty20 Cup.

He also represented England Under-19s during their World Cup in February and New Zealand’s tour in July and August.

Ben Brown has impressed with his glovework for Sussex and the England Under-19 side

Smith, 21, enjoyed another successful season with the second XI in his second season with Sussex. He scored 590 Second XI Championship runs at an average of 53.64 and was the county’s leading wicket-taker with 29 wickets at an average of 20.90.

Smith also played five one-day games for the first team in 2008, as well as one Twenty20 match.

Professional cricket manager Mark Robinson said: “I am delighted to have such highly promising youngsters on board in Ben and Tom. Both players have received a lot of interest from other counties, which isn’t surprising to me.

“I am glad that they both see Sussex as their home and are looking to push hard over the next couple of years for a regular first team spot.”