Carl Hopkinson's inclusion in the Sussex side that were due to play Durham last Sunday was yet more acknowledgement of the cricketing breeding ground that is Brighton College.

Ex-Brighton College student Carl was going to make his debut had rain not washed out the Norwich Union game.

You only have to look at the cricketing pedigree in the coaching set-up to realise that the college take cricket very seriously.

Ex-Sussex bowler John Spencer runs the senior side, while England women's captain Clare Connor has a big part to play in developing girls' cricket as well as coaching the boys.

Then there is Sussex batsman Richard Montgomerie helping on the coaching side, while Sussex U-19s manager Richard Halsall jointly runs the senior team with John.

The former Sussex cricketer explained: "We're cricket fanatics and put a lot emphasis on children playing the game in a positive manner.

"Many of the youngsters are developing and there has been a good production line of talent here."

Sussex wicketkeeper-batsman Matt Prior, who played for England U-19s against the West Indies, is a former student at the college.

Pranay Sanklecher, another Brighton old boy, this summer played for Oxford University and won an Oxford blue (awarded to sportsman that play against Cambridge).

Former student Bazid Khan has played for Pakistan A and has been 12th man for the full Test side.

There are more coming through the ranks now.

Malcolm Waller, who joined last year, has captained Zimbabwe U-15s and plays for the Sussex Academy side.

Patrick Spencer, John's son, has been playing for Sussex 2nd XI. Nick Woodbridge the Sussex U-17s, Marc Gardner the England Schools U-15s, Richard Young the South of England U-14s side along with Michael Thornely, Chris Grammer Sussex U-16s and Richard Young the Sussex U-16s and Academy side.

Kate Oakenfold, who has trained with the senior England side and represented England U-17s, as well as Sussex and England U-17s cricketer Laura Marsh are two outstanding prospect in the girls' game.

You get the picture.

John explained: "We always teach our cricketers much technique and they receive plenty of coaching - as well as personal coaching.

"The students are taught to be positive in their approach to the game. All our captains would rather declare and have a chance to win than bat on to safeguard at least a draw.

"We would rather lose games being positive than draw games being negative. That adds a competitive edge to our matches and they learn from it too."

It also helps that the school bursar John Bone is a cricket fan and has some useful contacts within the game.

Bone signed the £80,000 cheque that enabled the college to purchase ten top quality all-weather nets and his links with the ECB have helped see the college stage big matches.

West Indies U-19s played two games against England U-18s this summer prior to their Test series with England U-19s.

The college has also hosted the Triple Crown Tournament match between England and Wales.

New Sussex groundsman Derek Traill has helped the College produce a fine wicket.

Hopkinson said: "The coaching I received there was top notch. Guys like Richard Halsall know their stuff and I benefited greatly.

"I went there because of its strong cricket links. John Spencer saw me play and wanted me to come to the college."

The college have won 30 matches in the last two years, which is unprecedented in schools' cricket.

Another part of the school's cricket make-up has been their overseas tours to India, Pakistan, Zimbabwe and the West Indies.