Mills turns south to forward career

Tymal Mills, the left-arm fast bowler seen as one of the most exciting young talents in England, has left Essex to join Sussex on a two-year contract.

Mills, perhaps the quickest bowler in the country, becomes the latest in a significant list of Essex academy products to leave the club to forward their career. He turned down the offer of a new contract at Chelsmford.

A number of counties were linked with Mills but Sussex have secured the 22-year-old in a boost to their bowling attack - a hindrance to their ambitions last season; only Steve Magoffin took more than 25 wickets in the County Championship.

Mills has enjoyed a remarkable rise from village to first-class cricket in just five years and toured Sri Lanka with England Lions last winter. He caught the attention by injuring Graeme Swann's arm in an Ashes warm-up in 2013 and was also used by England in Australia to prepare their batsman for facing Mitchell Johnson.

Despite his potential he has struggled to gain consistent selection for Essex and suffered an injury for much of last season, playing only six Championship matches.

He spoke before last season of having moved past the "potential" stage. His chance to deliver next season will come at Hove - where fellow right-arm quick Chris Jordan managed to flourish having struggled to ignite his career at Surrey.

"I'm really pleased to be on board," Mills said of the move to the south coast. "As soon as Sussex came in for me, I knew it was a county that I wanted to join. I'm really glad it is all finalised.

"The injuries look to be behind me now and I'm really looking forward to moving down here, getting stuck in this winter and going strong next year."

Sussex's professional cricket manager Mark Robinson added: "We're hugely excited by the arrival of Tymal. He's a player of enormous potential who is blessed with great pace and a true fast bowler's frame, and we can't wait to see him bowl next season."