Matt Machan has been tipped to become a matchwinner for Sussex after signing a new three year deal.

The 24-year-old batsman from Brighton joins Ollie Robinson in committing his future to the county as they bid to rebuild following relegation to division two of the Championship.

Machan enjoyed a fine season in four-day cricket last season, scoring three centuries, and coach Mark Robinson believes the left-hander has the potential to emulate skipper Luke Wright with his power-hitting.

Robinson said: “Matt had a breakthrough year last season after a difficult time in 2014 but that is what you get with young players sometimes.

“He knows he is not the finished article yet but he is an exciting proposition as he’s the type of player who can take a game away from the opposition.

“He is a dangerous player and if he keeps developing I think he can become a match-winner in his own right one day a bit like Luke.

“The way he plays means he’s got the ability to change the course of a game. It can sometimes infuriate supporters when he gets out in the 30s going for his shots but that is the way he plays.

“He’s at a good age so has plenty of time to mature and turn those 30s and 40s into big scores and I am excited about watching the progress he makes.”