Joe Gatting, the nephew of former England captain Mike, has signed a two-year deal with Sussex.
Young batsman commits to Hove until end of 2010 season
Joe Gatting, the nephew of former England captain Mike Gatting, has signed a two-year deal with the Sussex Sharks.
Gatting represented the Sussex Academy and second XI before a three-year stint in football with Brighton and Hove Albion.
He continued to play the odd game for the Development XI and his club, Preston Nomads though, before eventually deciding to dedicate himself to cricket.
His hard work over the winter culminated in a century on a pre-season tour for the Sharks against Surrey and he is keen to build on that success.
"This is a great opportunity for me," Gatting told the
Sussex website. "It was the right time to call it a day with football and concentrate fully on cricket.
"I have thoroughly enjoyed the winter training with the first team squad and was pleased with my performance in Abu Dhabi. I am looking forward to what promises to be a very exciting season."
Gatting's signing comes as yet more good news for the Sharks following the signing of South African bowler Pepe Sandri.
The 26-year-old's move still needs to be rubber-stamped by the England and Wales Cricket Board, but all the signs are good for the club with the clock ticking down to the start of the new season.
The Sharks are set to get their season underway against Gloucestershire Gladiators in the FP Trophy on April 19.
