Harry Finch believes he is ready to become a match-winner for Sussex.

Finch has been in and out of the Sussex side since making his debut in 2013.

The 22-year-old from Hastings looked to have made a big step forward last season only to suffer a broken thumb in August which ruled him out for the rest of the campaign.

The former England under-19 international made a slow start to the summer – making 43 in four Championship innings – having been hit by an identical injury in Australia during the winter but has come into his own to help Sussex find their groove in the Royal London One-Day Cup.

Finch made 39 in the breakthrough win over Glamorgan – only the Sharks’ second victory in 50-over cricket since August 2014 – and followed it up with 80 against Kent at Canterbury and 61 in the victory over Surrey at Hove on Sunday.

Each of those innings was crucial in the outcome of the game and Finch will hope to maintain his encouraging form when the Sharks travel to Essex in the South Group tomorrow.

The former Eastbourne College pupil said: “I have improved more mentally than anything – my skill level has always been there and I have never doubted it but mentally I have struggled to cope with things.

“I have struggled with certain game-plans. I am trying to become smarter and I am starting to build on the experiences I have had.

“Speaking to the senior lads helps. I have learnt to develop my own plans and the way I play.”

Finch – who signed a new two-year deal in the winter – boasts an impressive average of 48.66 in List A cricket with only Laurie Evans bettering his tally of 208 this season.

He will hope to take confidence from his performances in the RLODC into four-day cricket when Sussex return to Championship action with the visit of Durham in two weeks’ time.

Finch added: “I broke into the squad last year and mentally I feel this is going to be a better year.

“In previous seasons I got caught up on trying to score a certain amount of fifties and hundreds but now I am more focused on winning as many games as I can for Sussex – it doesn’t matter in what competition.”

l Lancashire have signed Sri Lankan batsman Mahela Jayawardene for the NatWest T20 Blast. The 39-year-old, who played for Sussex in the competition in 2015, is not registered as an overseas player, having received a spousal visa through his Danish wife.