Oxfordshire have signed Sussex all-rounder Will Beer to play in the Unicorns Counties Championship this season.

The 26-year-old leg-spinner and right-handed batsman has played nine first-class games, having made his debut against MCC at Lord’s in 2008.

He has taken 13 wickets at an average of 39.92, and has a batting average of 21.90.

Beer has also made 37 one-day and 64 Twenty20 appearances for the Sharks.

Oxfordshire have sigedn Beer due to their partnership with Sussex.

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Oxon captain Luke Ryan explained that the county had snapped up the all-rounderafter struggling with availability of key players for three-day cricket last season.

He said: “Last season we drafted in some of our most talented county youth players who all performed admirably, but the step up to senior cricket is a big one and their development is not best served by being beaten inside two days as was the case several times last year.

“The senior cricket management team and the board have considered the issue carefully and we strongly believe that an experienced and consistently available core to our three-day team will actually help the development of our youngsters, even though in the short term it may seem like we are reducing opportunities for selection.

“Will has been put forward because of the high standards of professionalism and to fill a specific gap in our squad.

“I am convinced that our most experienced players and our youngsters alike will benefit greatly from playing alongside first-class county players, and we will continue to fast-track our best young talent into the senior team at every opportunity.”

Meanwhile, wicket-keeper/batsman Jonny Cater has been appointed vice-captain.

Ryan added: “Jonny has been fantastic for Oxfordshire in the past three seasons.”