Fynn Hudson-Prentice

Fynn Hudson-Prentice was released by his boyhood club, Sussex, at the age of 20, but found a route back into the professional game via a stint with MCC Young Cricketers. In 2019, Hudson-Prentice won an opportunity at Derbyshire and impressed enough over the course of three seasons in the Peak District for Sussex to come calling again with a contract offer at the end of 2021.

Time away revitalised his love for the game. Hudson-Prentice came through Sussex's academy as a holding seam bowler with an ability to hit useful runs in the lower middle order, much in the guise of a former Sussex player he had ambitions to emulate: Robin Martin-Jenkins. But he made just seven first-team appearances across three seasons - zero wickets, high score of 48 - before departing at the end of 2016. He was accepted to study for an architecture degree at Leeds, only for Steve Kirby, the former Yorkshire, Gloucestershire and Somerset bowler, to offer him a place with MCC YCs.

The following summer, he caught the eye when playing against Derbyshire and subsequently debuted for the club in a one-day tour match against Australia A. A week later he scored 99 and took a wicket first ball in a Championship match against Middlesex, and he quickly established himself as a useful all-round cricketer across all three formats. His Sussex return was initially hampered by a back stress fracture that kept him out for much of the season, but he played every game in the Championship in 2023, finishing as the team's top run-scorer with 879 at 48.83.
ESPNcricinfo staff