Jordan makes Sussex switch

Chris Jordan, the former Surrey allrounder, has signed a two-year contract with Sussex. Jordan was released by the London county, where he had been since the age of 17, at the end of the 2012 season after losing his place in the first team.

Born in Barbados, 24-year-old Jordan is eligible to represent England and West Indies. Although his first-class career averages of 21.83 with the bat and 38.47 with the ball are not imposing, Jordan was once considered among Surrey's most promising talents and his presence will help bolster a Sussex pace attack that relied heavily on Steve Magoffin in 2012.

"I am delighted to be joining such a fantastic club," Jordan said. "As soon as Sussex expressed an interest in me it became clear it would be an exceptional place to continue my cricketing development. Meeting with Mark Robinson and Mark Davis and looking around the club further confirmed that the set up at Sussex is perfectly suited to helping me achieve my career goals and ambitions of becoming a top class all-round cricketer.

"I hope to play a key role in helping Sussex challenge for honours in all three formats in 2013, and I look forward to joining the boys for pre-season and pushing for a place in the starting XI for the first game of the season."

Jordan will hope to revive his career on the south coast, where he will join his former Surrey captain, Rory Hamilton-Brown. Both left Surrey after a turbulent season, which was overshadowed by the death of Tom Maynard.

Mark Robinson, Sussex's cricket manager, said: "Chris has got enormous potential. He can bowl genuinely quick and has the ability to be able to bat at No. 6 or No. 7, and is a natural athlete in the field. As yet, he hasn't been able to find the consistency needed to fulfil his potential. He is still young and we hope we can help Chris fulfil this rich promise and become not only a match-winner at Sussex but also for England."