Trophy hero George Campbell is relishing life in the county cricket limelight.

The Hastings opener fired a brilliant 141 and was named man of the match as the Sussex Board XI beat Shropshire in the Cheltenham and Gloucester Trophy in midweek.

Their reward will be a home tie with holders Gloucestershire at Horsham next month.

Campbell, who had a year as a Sussex professional in 1998, cannot wait to tackle the likes of Ian Harvey and Jack Russell.

He said: "This is an ideal opportunity for players not playing second eleven cricket to get noticed.

"I came through the Sussex Young Cricketers and I played for the county from the age of 11, but things just slipped away for me in the last couple of years.

"I would love to play full-time. There is nothing better than making money from your hobby."

Campbell, 22, was educated at Lancing College and played for Hastings colts.

He spent last winter playing grade cricket in Tasmania, where his opponents included former Sussex batsman Michael di Venuto.

He said: "That was a fantastic experience. It was the same level as Chris Adams was playing in Sydney, although his group was stronger."

The Board team have been given their chance to shine after the ECB opened the Trophy to amateur players in an attempt to create some of the excitement which makes the FA Cup so popular.

Several members of Tuesday's victorious line-up will be in direct opposition as they battle for points in the Shepherd Neame Sussex League tomorrow.

But Danny Alderman, one of three Three Bridges players in the Board XI, insists it is more than just a scratch side He said: "There is a club feel about it. We have played with and against each other for four or five years and there is a rapport between the players.

"We knew before the game we had the chance of beating Shropshire and what our reward would be and that spurred the guys on."