Indian pacer Ishant Sharma has been signed by English County Sussex for the upcoming County season. This will be his first-ever appearance in the County Cricket and it will be last for first five matches before a full season of Royal London One-Day Cup tournament. Sussex Cricket made this announcement on Thursday (February 15).
Thus, Ishant will become the third Indian cricketer to represent Sussex after MAK Pataudi and Piyush Chawla. Meanwhile, he will be among two Indian cricketers in the same season as Yorkshire has already signed Chetershwar Pujara for this County season. Both players remained unsold in the auction of the Indian Premier League 2018.
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Excited for this new assignment, Ishant said: “It’s a great honor to represent Sussex CCC, the oldest first-class county, and I am looking forward with excitement to my maiden stint in county cricket. I would like to extend a special thanks to Sussex for taking note of my ongoing performances and deeming me suitable for this opportunity. I hope to add value to my time as part of the Sussex family this season.”
Sussex’s director of cricket, Keith Greenfield, seemed very happy with Sharma’s inclusion as the team already received a setback in form of Jofra Archer and Chris Jordan, who both will be busy playing in the IPL.
“Securing Ishant’s services has been very important for us. Once Jofra [Archer] and CJ [Chris Jordan] were picked up in the IPL draft, it became crucial to sign an experienced international-quality seam bowler who could provide valuable support and know-how to the rest of the seamers,” said Greenfield.
“Ishant has the attributes to be very successful in early season English conditions and a great role model. He fits the bill perfectly and we look forward to welcoming him to Sussex Cricket.”
Jason Gillespie, the head coach of Sussex, is delighted with this news and quoted, “We’re delighted to secure the services of an experienced and very skillful international seamer. We believe Ishant will fit right into the Sussex dressing room and we are all really looking forward to welcoming him to Hove.”
Also Read: Yorkshire signed Pujara for County season
Ishant has some prior experience playing in the English conditions as he had toured with Team India twice in 2011 and 2014 other than playing two ICC events over there. Moreover, his best Test figures of 7/74 came at the Lord’s in a winning cause.
