Nash and Hodd sign new Sussex deals

Chris Nash was consistent with the bat during Sussex's Championship success © Getty Images

Sussex youngsters Chris Nash and Andrew Hodd, who played significant roles in retaining the Championship title, have agreed new two-year deals with the club.

Nash, in his first full season at Hove, scored 785 runs at 30 in the Championship and has been given a two-year extension to his deal, taking his contract through to 2010. With Richard Montgomerie retired, Nash now has the chance to forge a career in the top order.

"I've played for Sussex since I was nine years-old and to play a key role in winning the Championship this season was a dream come true," said Nash. "I hope that I can build on a successful first full year in the first team and continue to improve my game in order to fulfill my ambitions to play at the highest level."

Hodd has agreed a new deal after solid performances with the bat and gloves as a stand-in for Matt Prior who was on England duty. He averaged 33 in the Championship and held 18 catches alongside six stumpings.

Mark Robinson, Sussex's director of cricket, said: "[Andrew] came into the team at a time when we had lost two games by an innings. He played with his own style, in his own way and helped transform the season by playing with a brightness and the talent we always knew he had."