New Sussex vice-captain Ben Brown extends contract

Sussex keeper Ben Brown has signed an extension to his contract which keeps him at Hove until the end of the 2018 season.

And the 27-year-old has been named vice-captain to skipper Luke Wright in all three formats of the game next season.

Brown, who made his debut for the county back in 2007 after coming through the youth set-up, passed the 1,000-run mark in County Championship cricket for the first time in 2015, averaging 44.82 including four centuries.

"I'm absolutely delighted to sign for another three years. It's a bit longer term that I have signed for before, and it's obviously great for me to have the security to go and play how I want to play," he told the club's official website.

"It was very pleasing on a personal note to play how I did last season in red-ball cricket. There are a few of us now who have signed long-term deals and found consistency across all formats, and there is a responsibility for me to become a senior player in the group.

"It's an honour to be named vice-captain, and as a homegrown player it's really exciting to reach these milestones in your career."

Sussex head coach Mark Davis said: "We are delighted that Ben has committed himself to the club for a further three years. 

"He had a great season in 2015 and we're looking forward to him continuing his career with Sussex and having the honour of being vice-captain. He is a natural leader who will be of great support to Luke and be a positive influence in the dressing room."