Sussex Announce Academy Plus Intake

Sussex Announce Academy Plus Intake

Left to right: John Glover, Matthew Hobden and Craig Young

©Sussex CCC

Further to the recent announcement of the Academy Intake for the new season, Sussex CCC have confirmed that three young pace bowlers have been awarded Academy Plus Scholarships for the 2012 season.

The Academy Plus is the holding ground between the Academy and the Professional Staff and John Glover, Matthew Hobden and Craig Young will all benefit by receiving coaching from and training with the professionals, whilst being around the Second Eleven and Academy match programmes as much as possible.

Shoreham-born Glover, 19, made his first-class debut for Sussex in the match against Oxford MCCU last season. The former Portslade CC and now St James’s CC bowler has been with the County since the age of 10.

Hobden, 18, has been on the books at Sussex for five years and the Glynde & Beddingham bowler will look to play first-class cricket with Cardiff MCCU as he continues to study at University.

21 year-old Young is an Irish new ball bowler who has been in their setup since the age of 10. He made the move to Sussex in early 2010 and has struggled with injury but now fully fit, will be hoping to make an impact through the Academy Plus scheme.

Cricket Performance Manager Keith Greenfield said, “All three bowlers have immense talent and potential, and we’re looking forward to seeing them progress.

“John is a local lad and we’re excited to see him injury-free and firing on all cylinders after tasting first-class cricket last season.

“Matthew will gain some crucial experience playing for Cardiff MCCU in the early part of the season and we should see more of him from June onwards, whilst Craig has been with us for some time but now he is fully fit hopefully he can make a positive impact this season.

“The experience they will gain by being around the professional staff and training with them will be a key part in their further development and form the basis of them becoming professional cricketers themselves”.