Sussex have handed three of their home-produced young players contracts for the One-Day Cup.
Ollie Kirtley, Toby Munt and Freddie Price will all be available for a campaign which starts against Glamorgan at Neath next Wednesday.
Kirtley is an 18-year-old right arm medium fast bowler and son of legendary Sussex paceman James Kirtley, who is now the club’s lead bowling coach.
All-rounder Price and seam bowler Munt are both 19 and both progressed through the county pathway.
Sussex head coach Paul Farbrace has always made it clear Sussex would use the 50-overs format as a chance to develop young players.
He said: "I am delighted that all three lads have signed to play in the ODC, and it is great testament to the pathway at Sussex under Keith Greenfield that these talented young players have developed.
“Sussex has a great tradition of developing and producing players to go on and play at the highest level, and these three young payers all have got very good qualities and are a real credit to the pathway and academy.
“All three of these players not only have a high level of skill, but they have a fantastic approach to learning and wanting to be the best they can be, that is the first and most important thing we look for in young players, do they want to get better, are they driven to succeed.
“All three have worked incredibly hard to get to this point and equally know there is a lot of hard work in front of them, but they have deserved this opportunity to progress their games and be part of the first team squad for the ODC."
Sussex already know they will lose Henry Crocombe and Fynn Hudson-Prentice at the end of this season due to financial issues although Tom Clark has signed a new deal.
Farbrace added: "I think at a time when our members are worried and disappointed about players sadly leaving the club, this will give them a boost that we have some very talented young players coming through the pathway.
“I am sure our members will not only enjoy watching them play but will also get behind them and encourage them as they always do."
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Sussex start the Metro Bank competition on the road and have their first home game on Sunday, July 26 when Yorkshire visit Hove.
Their schedule includes a visit to Arundel to face Essex on July 29.
One-Day Cup fixtures generally start at 11am but the Hove lights will come into play on Friday, August 7, when Worcestershire visit (2pm).
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