Adams in high spirits

Sussex

Sussex are chasing a third successive championship

Buy this photo

Sussex’s maiden first-class outing in their defence of the LV County Championship title was curtailed by the weather - but it will not have dampened their mood.

Buoyed by the appearance of Mushtaq Ahmed and Murray Goodwin in the nursery ground nets at Lord’s on Sunday, Chris Adams’ team are gearing for a crack at a third straight title, and a fourth in six years.

Leg-spinner Mushtaq and top-order batsman Goodwin will bolster the XI which had the better of the draw with MCC when they return to the field at the Rose Bowl on Wednesday.

They will also have Matt Prior available for that Hampshire contest and beyond, having been able to field him only three times in 2007.

“It has been a fantastic time for Sussex,” Adams said, reflecting on success at Hove.

“Over the last four or five years we’ve played really competitive cricket.

“The nucleus of that squad is very much there, but we also have young players coming through and players coming back from international call-ups.

“We look on paper quite a strong squad. But what I can say from behind closed doors is we are also strong as a unit right now.

“It is great to have Mushy back and Murray Goodwin - two quality players to add to what we’ve already got.”

Start Playing

icon-40x40-cricket-50012

Want to start playing cricket - or re-kindle your playing days?

Video on ECBtv

icon-40x40-ecb-tv-50014

Get all the latest features, news and action

npower Ashes Series 2009

Icon 40x40 Npower Ashes

Only a year and the Aussies are here - here's all the info you need

Buy Tickets

Icon 40x40 Tickets

All the contact information and links to help you buy match tickets

Contact ECB

icon-40x40-ecb-logo-50013

Contact ECB by email, phone or fax - or feedback via ecb.co.uk

Find Fixtures

icon-40x40-calendar-50005

Want to watch some cricket? Find the matches you want to see

Use our RSS feeds

Icon 40x40 Rss

Get our news and scores feeds via RSS to your desktop or mobile

Blogs on ecb.co.uk

icon-40x40-blogs-50003

Enjoy our blogs, right across the cricketing spectrum, from players to volunteers

Official site of the England and Wales Cricket Board