LONDON, CMC — Promising young Bermudian all-rounder Delray Rawlins has signed a one-year extension with Sussex, the English county side announced.
He signed his first professional contract with the county last October and has now inked a deal that will see him remain with the club until the end of the 2018 season.
“I’m obviously pleased to extend my contract. I’ve had a good winter and this is a reward of going to India and doing well,” Rawlins said.
“I always back myself to do well, but even I exceeded my expectations there. It was nice to get runs in a place where it is often hard to do so.
“It’s nice to have that extra year on top now. I’m feeling good at the moment. I want to play as much cricket as I can in the first team and do as well as I can.”
Sussex head coach Mark Davis said: “It’s really exciting for another young prospect to extend their contract with us. We have some really talented young players coming through and Delray fits firmly into the category.
“He had a fantastic winter with the England Under-19 side and gained some vital experience, which stands him in good stead for challenging for first-team honours this season.”
A left-handed batsman and slow left-arm bowler, Rawlins, 19, has progressed through the club’s Academy system at Hove. He has played for Sussex’s Second XI over the past two seasons while completing his education at St Bede’s School.
He has his sights set on becoming the first player born and raised in Bermuda to play county cricket in England.
David Hemp, now 46, who played for Bermuda in the 2007 World Cup in the Caribbean, was born in the island to an expatriate father but grew up in the United Kingdom where he played for Glamorgan and Warwickshire.
Rawlins enhanced his burgeoning reputation on the England Under-19 tour of India in January and February, averaging 78.42 with the bat en route to two centuries and two half-centuries, while claiming nine wickets.
