Champions snap up Rory

Sussex are expected to announce the signing this week of Rory Hamilton-Brown, a player rated by England coach Peter Moores as one of the country's brightest young cricketing talents.

The county champions have

beaten off a host of counties

hoping to sign the 20-year-old all-rounder when he was

released by Surrey last week.

Hamilton-Brown, stripped

of the England Under-19

captaincy then reinstated in a

case of mistaken identity

over drink allegations,

arrives at Hove with the endorsement of former

Sussex captain Moores.

Hamilton-Brown decided

to leave Surrey for lack of

opportunity.

He flies to

Perth today for winter work

at the Western Australia

cricket academy run by

former Hampshire batsman

Paul Terry and will also play

grade cricket this winter.