Lewry back in contention

Lewry is key for Sussex's title aspirations © Getty Images

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Left-armer Jason Lewry has returned to the Sussex squad for the LV County Champions’ match with Surrey at Hove.

The reliable fast-medium bowler has been suffering with knee problems since the domestic season curtain-raiser against MCC, in which he bowled only six overs.

“Jason is recovering well,” said Sussex cricket manager Mark Robinson. “We will take the decision whether he is ready to play in due course.”

Lewry replaces fellow left-armer Chris Liddle in the 14-man squad, while off-spinner Ollie Rayner is named as back-up to Mushtaq Ahmed, who could break the 1,400-wicket barrier in first-class cricket if the Pakistani talisman takes four wickets.

James Kirtley, who missed the champions’ first two matches, could also be drafted into the XI after taking 2-45 in Sussex’s Friends Provident Trophy defeat by Essex.

Luke Wright and Matt Prior are also set to play, before appearing for England Lions against the touring New Zealanders next Thursday.

Robin Martin-Jenkins needs just ten more runs to reach 6,000 runs for Sussex in first-class cricket.

Chris Schofield comes back into the Surrey squad after missing last week’s draw at seam-friendly Durham.

The leg-spinner replaces Jade Dernbach in the only change to the 12 players who travelled to the Riverside.

Former Sussex spinner Saqlain Mushtaq returns to Hove for the clash, on the back of taking 6-50 against Durham last week.

Surrey have decided to stick with the same batsmen who found life tough-going at the Riverside last week, in the hope that they will recreate the form which saw three of them score centuries against Lancashire in the opening match of the season

Mark Ramprakash, Mark Butcher and Usman Afzaal all passed the hundred-mark at the Brit Oval in the first round of fixtures.

Ramprakash is just two centuries away from the landmark of 100 first-class hundreds.