Sam Arthurton is hoping his excellent form for Norfolk will help him break into the Essex first team.

The 20-year-old has been handed an apprentice contract with Essex after graduating through the county's academy and he has featured regularly in the second team in recent seasons.

Arthurton, pictured, made an unbeaten century in Norfolk's narrow MCCA Knockout Trophy defeat to Shropshire on Monday, which followed an innings of 67 in the county's first match of the season, at Wiltshire.

The Great Witchingham batsman said: 'It's a long season and there's plenty more cricket to play, but it's nice to score some runs and I'm happy with how it's going.

'With Essex, I just need to keep plugging away – we have got a good squad with some big names, so it's tough, but I've just got to keep working hard and hopefully I will get my chance. I've been given a squad number which was pleasing as I worked hard last year, so now it's just for me to put my name in the hat with some good performances.'