Pro deal at Sussex is the goal for paceman Glover

Glover, aged 18, is in his second year in the county’s academy and got the call for the first-team in their friendly with Oxford MCCU.

He took 1-52 from 14 overs in the drawn match and said: “It was really good, hard work, but I really enjoyed it.

“I’d been working hard in the winter but it was a little bit out of the blue when I was told I was in the team.

“I got a text to say I was in the squad on the Sunday night, went in to train on the Monday and left for the game on Tuesday evening.

“I bowled all right in my first spell and picked up a wicket and, hopefully, there’s many more to come.”

Glover started out at Portslade, playing in their youth teams, before moving to St James, where he has played all his adult cricket.

He was named the Sussex academy player of the year last season but knows he has to keep working hard to stake his claim for a professional contract for next season and said: “I’ve got to try to take every opportunity, try to keep level-headed and do well for the academy and for the second team.

“I’ve just finished studying at BHASVIC, so have a bit more time to train now.

“I’m also going to take a year or two out before going to university to see where I get with cricket.

“My ultimate goal is to get a contract with Sussex as this is my last year in the academy.

“I’ll find out at the end of the season if I’ll get a professional contract, stay in the academy or get released but my short-term goal is to bowl well and get some wickets.”

Fellow local Sussex player Lewis Hatchett, from Upper Beeding, got a professional deal with Sussex in October and is a team-mate of Glover’s at St James.

Glover said: “It’s a great set-up at Sussex. When I talk to the pros and the coaches, they are great with their feedback.

“Lewis has been good especially. I’ve played with him at St James, where his brother, Brad, is now skipper and he’s helped me quite a lot.”