BEN BROWN has praised Ed Joyce as his two former counties prepare to clash at Hove.

Former Middlesex and Sussex batsman Joyce, pictured, announced his retirement yesterday.

He played with distinction for both counties and recently made a long-awaited Test debut for Ireland.

Brown heard the news after training ahead of today’s Royal London One-Day Cup fixture The Sussex skipper, who was handed his county cap by Joyce in 2014, said: “He was an amazing influence on the club in general.

“He taught us a lot about how to prepare and how to play.

“He was a fun guy off the field but on the field he was a tough competitor.

“He had that edge to his cricket and I liked that about him.

“He was a wonderful player and people should not lose sight of that. Him and Murray Goodwin were the best two batsmen I’ve ever seen at this club.

“He was unlucky not to play a lot of Tests for England but I was delighted to see him play a Test for Ireland recently. It meant a huge amount to him.”