Oli Carter brought Sussex supporters to their feet as he led a memorable run chase.

Now he says the next step is to turn valiant performances into wins.

The 19-year-old wicketkeeper-batsman from Eastbourne has been awarded a multi-year senior contract.

He has impressed across the formats this season as Sussex throw a host of young players in at the deep end.

Carter made 59 off just 48 balls to bring Sharks to within sight of a win over Gloucestershire in the Royal London One-Day Cup on Sunday.

In the end, they fell just short.

Just as they did after a brilliant performance for three-quarters of their opening group game, versus Lancashire at Sedburgh School.

It feels like turning performances into wins is the next hurdle for the young guns.

And that, when it happens, it might just open the floodgates.

Carter told The Argus: “I think we have to learn from both of them.

“We batted second in this game (against Gloucestershire) and bowled second at Sedburgh.

“We have to learn from both of them and see how we get better at both of them.

“Hopefully against Essex or Worcestershire we can turn them into wins and win those close games.”

Carter kept wicket on Sunday while former skipper and renowned gloveman Ben Brown was in the field.

That sort of experience can only help a young side who have grown up together.

Brown has been in the focus after being told he would be replaced as captain in the Championship but he looked like he was enjoying himself in the Gloucestershire game.

Carter said: “It is very similar to the academy team we had last year, plus the likes of Browny, Will Beer, David Wiese, Travis Head.

“It is really positive because we all know each other.

“We know what we are good at and we know how to communicate.

“It has been a really good environment.

“It is really helpful to have Ben in the field.

“He can always correct me if I am wrong, try to give me a bit of advice if he sees I’m struggling.

“He seems really nice and it just gives confidence to me to be able to do it in front of him and to have someone to help me the whole time.”

The scale of Sussex’s reliance on youth this season has not gone down well with all supporters.

But there is no doubting the enormous promise of those players given their chance.

Carter has played two T20s, two Championship games and four one-dayers for the first team so far this summer.

That after a childhood spent playing club cricket at Barcombe, Seaford and Eastbourne.

He said: “I’m loving my first year at Sussex. It’s brilliant.

“I can’t explain how I feel to be playing for Sussex.

“It has always been a dream of mine.

“It is obviously really exciting for me and for the rest of the squad as well.”

As well as Brown, Sarah Taylor has been on hand to offer expert wicketkeeping advice.

Taylor is renowned as the world’s best and gave another example of her class in The Hundred this week when helping Welsh Fire win at Oval Invincibles.

Carter said: “It’s great when Sarah is here. She is a great coach.

“Browny obviously is a great keeper and he has always got words for me and stuff I can take away into the game.

“It is really good to have both of them on the staff to help me out.”

Carter is getting to know all about the demands of keeping and batting at the top county level.

While always a lively character, he believes he needs to up his stamina levels.

He said: “It just takes hard work. You have got to be fit. I feel like working on my fitness a lot in the last year has really helped.

“Long training sessions, whether it is batting or keeping.

“Being able to do both at the same time has been really positive for me.

“It’s quite hard to balance but I might get it done in the next few years!”

Carter said his dad “played a bit of cricket – not to a high standard that I know.”

Family and friends were at Hove on Sunday but there was another key figure he was keen to thank.

He said: “There’s so many people to thank who have helped me on my journey so far, but a stand-out for me would be Rob Ferley from Eastbourne College, who pushed me so far and improved me massively.

“It’s been such a good experience being in the first team squad this year and I’ve learnt so much.

“Sals (Ian Salisbury) and Kirts (James Kirtley) have been great with me, which is really important as they have given me the confidence and support to perform.

“It’s really exciting the direction Sussex is heading and I can’t wait to get going and hopefully help the club win a trophy.”

Sussex visit Worcestershire on Friday and Essex next Tuesday before hosting Middlesex a week tomorrow.

Qualification now appears to be beyond them but a win or two will be of massive significance for the young brigade.