Rory Hamilton-Brown insists it is no “shoo-in” that he will leave Sussex to take over as Surrey captain.

The 22-year-old all-rounder will have talks with both counties before making his decision.

Hamilton-Brown arrived home yesterday after spending the past few weeks in Pretoria as part of the England Performance squad.

And he was quick to play down suggestions that a return to The Oval was a done deal.

He said: “I have been away for some time so I need to chat with Surrey to hear what they have to say and then listen to Sussex. It’s no shoo-in.

“It is very exciting to be offered the captaincy of the county where I grew up but I have to look at it from all the angles and make my decision from there.

“I have a lot of mates at Surrey who have told me good things about what (cricket manager) Chris Adams is doing but I have also enjoyed being with Sussex since I joined.”

Former Sussex captain Adams has no qualms about burdening Hamilton-Brown with the captaincy of one of the most high-profiles counties in the country despite his lack of first-class experience while Sussex will feel that he can achieve his England ambitions with them.

Sussex have given Hamilton-Brown, who has a year left on his contract, permission to talk to Surrey but remain confident that he will sign the three-year deal they offered him before Surrey made their approach on November 13. If he does move, the two counties will have to agree a compensation fee.

Adams this week described Hamilton-Brown as a “a super-talented cricketer and a Surrey lad first and foremost” and is confident of getting his man.

And his move has been backed by former Surrey captain Adam Hollioake, who was only 23 when he led Surrey.