Double blow for Sussex

Mushtaq Ahmed misses his fifth championship game of the season for Sussex

Sussex are without two key players for the LV County Championship Division One clash against Hampshire at the Rose Bowl.

Talismanic leg-spinner Mushtaq Ahmed sits out the trip to the south coast as he continues his recovery from a knee operation.

His absence means he has missed half of Sussex’s games this season, having undergone surgery on the joint earlier in the campaign.

All-rounder Luke Wright will also play no part this week after fracturing a finger on his left hand during fielding practice with the England Test squad at Lord’s last Friday.

Nineteen-year-old leg-spinner Will Beer is in line to replace Mushtaq, although seamer Rageb Aga may be preferred depending on conditions.

Hampshire are again set to be without former South Africa paceman Nantie Hayward, but fellow countryman Rory Kleinveldt is set to continue in his absence.

Kleinveldt signed for Hampshire seven weeks ago but, like Hayward, took time to reach full match fitness. He made his debut in the defeat to Lancashire.

Director of cricket Tim Tremlett will be boosted by the presence of his son Chris, who was not included in the England squad for the second npower Test against South Africa.

Kevin Pietersen, however, is on international duty.