MARK ROBINSON PRAISES PROFESSIONAL CRICKETERS’ ASSOCIATIOn Mark Robinson, Sussex’s director of cricket, has praised the contribution that the Professional Cricketers’ Association have made in helping Ollie Robinson and Peter Burgoyne to secure first team opportunities with the South Coast county. All-rounder Robinson and off-spinner Burgoyne were released by Yorkshire and Derbyshire respectively midway through last season but have been given second chances by Sussex. Both were recommended to Sussex by Jason Ratcliffe, the assistant CEO of the PCA, and have gone some way to repaying the faith shown in them. Ollie Robinson made a spectacular debut for Sussex against Durham at Chester-le-Street in April when he made a century and took four first innings wickets. He has signed a contract until the end of this season. Burgoyne, a former England Under-19 international, has spent most of this season on trial with Sussex, and having taken wickets in the match in a recent Second XI Championship match, he made his first team debut in last week’s County Championship draw against Warwickshire at Edgbaston. ” We pride ourselves on our atmosphere and we pride ourselves on trying to make the best out of everybody. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn’t” , Mark Robinson said. We believe everybody deserves an opportunity to be the person they want to be. The PCA are brilliant. As I’m sure every club does, you try to work with people and try and support players. These are young men, they are not 32 year-olds, and you hope that they learn from the experiences they have. It’s no criticism of Yorkshire or what happened to Pete up at Derbyshire these circumstances happen. But it doesn’t mean they can’t learn from what happened to them. Ollie has been as good as gold and he crosses the line brilliantly. We’re pleased with him and maybe Pete is getting his chance too. It’s early doors with him but we liked what we saw against Warwickshire and we will play it by ear now.” Ollie Robinson and Burgoyne are among more than 300 players who have benefited from contract advice from Ratcliffe over the last four years. The PCA offers a free contract negotiator service to players helping them to make the right choices and secure a fair deal without having to pay for an agent. Ratcliffe said ” It’s certainly good news for Pete and Ollie. They’re both doing well at Sussex and enjoying the environment. Ollie especially is enjoying a fine season.” {{ak_sharing}}
