After a breakout season in 2022, Sussex opening batsman Ali Orr has set his sights on the England set-up, writes Stanley Challenor.

As he spoke at Sussex’s press day looking forward to the new County Championship season.

Orr scored more than 1,000 runs in the County Championship last year thanks to a commanding 198 against Glamorgan on the final day of the season.

He also made history in the 50-over format by breaking the clubs record for the highest top score when the opener made 206 in a win over Somerset back in August.

The 21-year-old is now looking forward and wanting to continue improving as he sets his targets on representing England in hopefully the near future.

He said: “I think for me it's all about improving and obviously pushing on. After performing, you want to keep getting better.

"You see what's going on with people at this club. Playing for the Lions, playing for England and obviously that is what I want to do. That's my aim."

New coach Paul Farbrace spoke at the media day about instilling a winning mentality into his players.

Sussex have only won three Championship games in the least three years.

Orr spoke about the difficulties of losing and how they as a team are looking to move past their losing ways.

He said: “I think it's quite difficult for me, having played nearly 20 games now and having only won one game, for me to look at it and go, ‘oh we're going to win’.

"You don't want to set your standards or aims too high. But at the same time, if you don't look up, then you're not going to achieve anything."

Orr thinks that is side is ready to take the next step and start winning games.

“Having players like obviously Ollie Robinson, although he may not play every game, you've still got players like that at the club and they can win new games of cricket.

“We may be young, but we’ve played a lot of games now. So yes, we may have learned a lot of heartache of how to lose a game, but we've also won a couple of games and we also know what it's like to be in situations to win.”

Sussex have signed a plethora of elite overseas players this campaign.

Seasoned run-getter and Indian international Cheteshwar Pujara who re-joins the side after a successful season in 2022 will captain the red-ball side.

Steve Smith who will be joining the four-day squad in May as he prepares for an Ashes summer in England.

When asked about the prospect of spending time out in the middle and training with these international greats, Orr said: “Every time I batted with either Rizwan or Pujara last year, it felt like an honour. You see him walking out. You almost feel like a kid again. I'm not afraid to admit it.

“I've watched Steve Smith's get bundles of runs, not just against England, against everyone. He's world class. To have him here for three weeks, four weeks to watch him train and hopefully seems to score hundreds for us and win us games."

The rising star spoke how his individual goals are ultimately there to give a winning contribution to his side.

“I don't like to set numerical goals. It's more short-term goals. So in April, can I dominate my off stump?

"Short-term goals that if I achieve them will hopefully allow us to win games of cricket”.