Sussex the standard bearers

Sussex underlined their one-day pedigree by winning the Pro40 title for a second season in succession this summer

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The name may have changed, but Sussex will once again be the team to beat in next year’s ECB 40 League.

The Sharks have set the standard in domestic 40-over cricket in recent times, winning the NatWest Pro40 in 2008 before retaining their title on the last day of the campaign this summer.

Allied to their Twenty20 Cup success in August, Sussex can claim to being the premier limited-overs county, and are sure to be among the favourites when the ECB 40 League gets under way on April 25.

The majority of matches will be played on a Sunday - the opening round sees nine games the length and breadth of the country, including Sussex’s visit to New Road to face Worcestershire, Pro40 champions in 2007.

Yorkshire head to Scarborough, their principal outground, on May 2, one of seven clashes that day and 15 over the Bank Holiday weekend, while fans will have to wait until May 7 for the first floodlit encounter of the season, between Northamptonshire and Derbyshire at Wantage Road.

The top two sides from each of the two divisions will contest the semi-finals on September 11, with the final to be held at Lord’s a week later.

The Friends Provident Trophy is no more, meaning there is now no 50-over domestic cricket - but Will Smith, for one, feels the move may benefit rather than hinder England’s prospects on the international scene.

Smith, who made such an impression in his first season as Durham captain this year, said: “I’m pretty happy we have 40-over cricket because it has proved to be a fun game to play.

“It’s good we’ve gone that way. No, it doesn’t mirror international cricket but it will breed more forward-thinking, skilled players.

“Those players will be the type that want to take advantage of situations and take the chances that will win games.

“That will benefit England in the long run because they will have players who will be able to deal with pressure situations.

“It’s highly skilled, perhaps more so than 50 overs where you tend to get that lull in the middle overs. You tend not to get that in 40 overs. It makes for a more exciting game for players and also for spectators.”