Sussex are fighting to prevent all-rounder Rory Hamilton-Brown from returning to Surrey as captain.

Surrey want the 22-year-old to be their next skipper even though he has made just eight first-class appearances and have made an official approach.

Hamilton-Brown has promised to make a decision later this month when he returns from South Africa where he is currently with the England Performance Squad.

Sussex have offered him a new three-year contract to replace his current deal which expires at the end of the 2010 season but the lure of captaining a county he left only two years ago to move to Hove, as well as a huge hike in salary, is likely to prove irresistable.

Sussex chairman Jim May said: “This approach is most unwelcome and the timing is very unfortunate when Rory should be focussing on his time in the England Performance Programme as he seeks a place in the England Lions squad after Christmas.

“We had already offered Rory a contract extension on improved terms prior to the official approach from Surrey. We regard him highly as a player who has developed well since joining us. At the age of 22 Rory has very strong potential to develop an excellent career with Sussex.

“This is a complex situation and we will consider our response carefully before any further communication by the club.”

Hamilton-Brown played youth cricket at The Oval before joining the professional staff in 2005 but after making just a handful of first-team appearances he signed for Sussex in September 2007.

Although he became a key member of Sussex’s successful one-day side last season he played in just four Championship games and his 171 not out against Yorkshire at Hove in September was his only score of over 50.

Hamilton-Brown did captain England under-19s but putting faith in a 22-year-old to lead a Surrey side who finished third to bottom in the Championship last season out of the doldrums is a huge gamble on the part of Cricket Manager Chris Adams, the former Sussex captain.

And it would represent a big change of heart on the part of Hamilton-Brown, despite his past links with the county and the fact he is still based in London.

Speaking to the Argus in October, Hamilton-Brown admitted he would not have made the improvements in his game which led to England selection for the first time this winter had he stayed at The Oval.

He said: “There’s no chance I would have improved as much had I stayed there. I just felt Surrey was a bad environment for a young cricketer to be in, I certainly didn’t excel there.”

Surrey’s committee were meeting last night and their approach for Hamilton-Brown was bound to be high on the agenda but Sussex appear resigned to losing a player who was developing nicely with them.

Should he leave with a year left on his contract Sussex are bound to ask for compensation.

Neither Hamilton-Brown or Adams were available for comment last night.