Bexhill cricketer selected for overseas tour

Sixteen-year-old Malcolm Johnson has been selected for a three-week trip to the United Arab Emirates and Australia in December.

Bexhill's honorary secretary Hamish Russell said: "This is excellent news for Malcolm and a real vindication of all his hard work in recent years. He's been a member of the club since he was young so everyone is really pleased for him and his parents who have supported him so pro-actively."

He will spend one week in Dubai and a fortnight in Brisbane where the Australian Cricket Centre of Excellence is located.

It will finish a big year for Johnson as this coming summer will be his first full season in the front side of the St Leonards Motors-sponsored club.

Johnson's parents and Bexhill Cricket Club have joined together in a bid to raise funds to help him go on the tour.

But the cost of the trip is around 2,000 so The Polegrove-based club is hoping that local businesses and sponsors will assist in its financing.

Sussex League outfit Bexhill will be writing to local companies with details of how they can help and Sussex CCC has offered various raffle prizes for use over the summer.

"He's developed so quickly in the last two years and the whole club hopes he has a good season with us in preparation for his trip," added Russell, from whom full details of Johnson's trip are available on 07749 580957.