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• Last year this site followed Matthew in his quest - as a rookee professional - to play in the Sussex CCC one day side
• He more than achieved his initial ambition by becoming a regular in the Sussex CCC first team - playing the majority of games in the national league
• However towards the end of the season 2001 Tim Ambrose - signed from Eastbourne CC, Sussex but an Australian national made his mark in the one day side. He had the good fortune to make a good score in front of the television cameras.
• In the same month a compatriot of Matthew - Carl Hopkinson - set the members buzzing by taking 4 excellent catches in one innings - again in front of the cameras.
• Matthew stayed at Hove during the winter working hard on his keeping and also, and very importantly, on his batting.
• Word has it that his batting has come along well in the nets.
• It was therefore with interest that one waited for the early reports of the County matches in Grenada.
• Up against a limited Yorkshire side Sussex have beaten them 3 times and also beat the local islanders.
• Matthew has had a top score so far of 88 not out. An innings which showed a variety of well executed shots.
• Other young Sussex cricketers have also made their mark.
• Michael Yardy - a year older than Matthew - has to date taken 3 for 43; 2 for 19; and 4 for 10 off 6 overs.
• Carl Hopkinson has taken 2 for 33
• Paul Havell - the old man of the group - has recorded 3 for 15
• Dominic Clapp - who played alongside Michael Yardy in the South of England side - made 21
• Yorkshire took a mere 14 players on tour whereas Sussex have taken their entire squad. Last year it proved to be an invaluable experience for Matthew - let us hope it is also the making of our other youngsters.
  
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