Craig Cachopa has been backed to rediscover his form with the bat after being handed a one-year contract extension with Sussex.

Cachopa made a big impact when he arrived at Hove midway through the 2014 season but lost his place in Sussex’s Championship side halfway through last summer having scored just 220 runs in 16 innings.

The 24-year-old’s struggles continued in New Zealand over the winter where he was replaced by Durham all-rounder Scott Borthwick as Wellington’s overseas player in four-day cricket after making just one half century in six innings.

Despite his slump Sussex have moved to extend Cachopa’s current deal – which was due to run out at the end of this summer – for another year with head coach Mark Davis confident the former New Zealand under-19 captain will repay the faith shown in him.

Davis said: “Craig is a talented lad who struggled a bit recently. Every player goes through a bit of a lean spell in their career and I’m sure he will have learned a lot from last season.

“We have shown a bit of faith in him and I have every confidence he will repay us by having a great season this year and developing into a really fine player.”

Cachopa came to England to play for Reigate Priory in 2014 but was offered a contract by Sussex midway through the summer having impressed for the county’s 2nd XI.

He went on to make five half centuries in as many Championship appearances – including two on his debut against Warwickshire at Horsham – and finished with an average of 49.

Cachopa was unable to emulate that form in first class cricket last summer as Sussex were relegated to division two of the Championship but came good in the NatWest T20 Blast where he finished as Sussex’s third top-scorer behind Luke Wright and Chris Nash while also performing a decent job as a makeshift wicketkeeper.

He said: “I’m absolutely thrilled to be extending my stay here at Sussex and I’m very grateful for the faith that the club are showing in me. Sussex is a great club and one that I know will bounce back strongly. I feel very settled and happy in Brighton and I’m excited to be a part of this young team moving forward.”