Top keeperbatsman is heading to join Sussex

Hampshire’s wicketkeeper-batter Tom Alsop will join Sussex on a season-long loan.

Alsop will be available for all of Sussex’s LV= Insurance County Championship, Royal London Cup and Vitality Blast matches this year.

Giles White, Hampshire Director of Cricket, said: “This opportunity at Sussex provides Tom with 1st XI cricket at a time when it’s limited here at Hampshire.

“Hopefully Tom finds early form and starts the season strongly.”

Ian Salisbury, Sussex Head Coach, said“WeareexcitedtohaveTomonloan for the whole season, we’d identified a lack of top three batters on the staff and see Tom as a talented top order player.

“He is ready for a new challenge and to work with what I believe is one of the best batting coaches in the country.

“He’s a top lad who I have no doubt will fit into the squad brilliantly alongside our young homegrown talent.”

Alsop was born in High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire but was part of Hampshire’s impressive youth setup andPathwaysystemwhichhasseenseveral players progress to the first team, including James Vince, Liam Dawson and Chris Wood.

He was a crucial part of Hampshire’s Royal London Cup runs in 2018 and 2019, in which he scored 248 runs at 49.60 and 351 runs at 39.00 respectively, where Hampshire made it to the final at Lord’s on both occasions and winning the trophy in 2018.

In 2019, Alsop recorded his highest List A score with 130* against Glamorgan at The Ageas Bowl, and followed it up with 124 against Sussex less than a month later.

His 2019 season also included a career-best red ball performance, scoring 150 against Warwickshire in May, and just last year, Alsop scored two of his four First-Class centuries, with 149 v Gloucestershire, and 119 v Leicestershire, both in April.

Hampshire said they wished Alsop (below) all the best during his time at Sussex.