Beanpole all-rounder Will Adkin is walking tall after digging Sussex out of a hole on his Championship debut.

At 6ft 10in the 20-year-old from East Grinstead is the tallest player in county cricket but he is also a determined character as he proved on the first day at Guildford.

It was rather ironic, considering his height, that Adkin was only called in an hour before the start because Lewis Hatchett pulled out due to the effects of vertigo. He came out to bat at No.8 with the second division leaders in trouble at 101-7 but helped the last three wickets put on another 116 and give Sussex’s first innings a modicum of respectability.

Adkin contributed a stylish 45 after taking 29 balls to get off the mark and put some of his more experienced team-mates in the top order to shame.

Sussex dismally failed to negotiate the new ball menace provided by Chris Tremlett while off-spinner Gareth Batty picked up three cheap wickets even though a ball hardly turned all day. Surrey closed on 47-0 but nothing could take away Adkin’s delight.

He said: “It was a surprise to get my chance but I was happy with how the day went. It’s a shame I couldn’t have got to my 50 but it was great just to spend some time at the crease.

“It took a while to get going because as you step up it is a lot harder to score runs but I felt good. I think I deserved my opportunity and hopefully the innings has helped me in my main aim which is to get a full-time contract.”

Full report in The Argus today