TOM HAINES aims to help Sussex challenge for silverware after he signed a multi-year contract extension.

Prior to their match against Yorkshire, which got underway at 11am, The opening batsman was already the fourth highest run scorer in the LV= Insurance County Championship, with 622 runs from his 13 innings so far this season.

His century against Northamptonshire last week at Hove was his second of the campaign and the fourth of his professional career.

The 22-year-old has played 28 matches since making his first-class debut for Sussex as a 17-year-old in 2016 and has an impressive first-class record.

He has scored 1454 runs in his 48 innings at an average of 30.93, which has included four centuries and five half centuries.

But Haines has now set his eyes on helping Sussex challenge for silverware.

He said: “I’m delighted to have signed a new contract with my home club.

“There’s a really exciting feel around the club and I’m extremely proud to extend my contract here.

“Hopefully in the next few years we can grow stronger as a team and start challenging for silverware in all forms.

“There’s a lot of promise in this squad and we’ve got good support from our coaching staff to improve day in, day out.”

Sussex’s Championship and One-Day Head Coach, Ian Salisbury believes there is plenty more to come from Haines.

He said: “Tom fully deserves his new contract.

“Since the last game of last season at The Oval, he’s scored three centuries and has shown that he understands what it takes in terms of training and preparation to be a successful opener in England.

“As much as anything he’s showing the mental application required to make himself the best player he can be.

“He’s continuing to develop and that was shown in his hundred in the second innings against Northants last week, which I think was his best knock to date.

“Tom’s hungry not just to score runs for Sussex but to learn how to make the step up to the next level.”

Sussex’s Performance Director, Keith Greenfield added: “We are determined to enable our young talent to thrive for Sussex and push on for England honours in the future.

“Tom is showing everyone his undoubted quality near the top of the list of leading run scorers in the country and knows he is going to be backed by everyone here at the club.

“We are thrilled he has committed to a new long- term contract.”