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Thursday, 13 April 2006, 13:59 GMT 14:59 UK

Sussex aim to relive 2003 success

By Oliver Brett

"In the one-day game we have some fantastic stroke-players and the seamers have found a method that works"
James Kirtley

J Kirtley

Sussex's James Kirtley hopes to rebound from an uncertain winter to spearhead a side seeking to repeat their 2003 success in the championship.

Kirtley was suspended in October while remodelling his suspect bowling action but was cleared in time to begin pre-season training with the club.

He told BBC Sport: "I would be naive to think that just because I've passed people won't be looking at me.

"But I hope I'm allowed to play games for Sussex without scrutiny."

Sussex have lost batsmen Ian Ward and Tim Ambrose in the close season but Kirtley is hoping the talents of some less-known younger players could pay dividends.

He said: "Wardy has a fantastic record and Tim is a name for the future.

"Given the opportunity of taking the gloves at Warwickshire I am sure he will push Geraint Jones and Matt Prior for the England spot.

"It's a shame we've lost him but that's the way it is.

"But we've got guys like Chris Nash and Neil Turk [both 22-year-old batsmen] coming through and Andrew Hodd is a more than able replacement for Tim.

"I think he scored a fifty in each game he's played for Surrey so we've got some able players. I wouldn't be too worried."

The amount of cricket Hodd plays will be dependant on how many one-day internationals Prior is selected for.

Sussex's number one gloveman is their main man in the hunt for domestic honours.

Kirtley said: "It's taken us two or three years to find our way in the one-day game but we have some fantastic stroke-players in Matt Prior, Chris Adams and Murray Goodwin.

"When we won the Championship in 2003, it came very early for what was a young, developing side"

"Bowling-wise, the seamers have found a method that works. It's nice to have [Pakistan international] Rana Naved in the side who has the ability to bowl at the end of the innings.

"And Luke Wright is a developing talent in one-day cricket. He has excited the selectors by being called up to the A tour."

The spin of Mark Davis, who moves into a coaching role, will also be lost in the one-day arena, but Kirtley insists there is cover there as well.

"Ollie Rayner is a 20-year-old who is another outstanding prospect. He is 6ft 6in, he genuinely turns the ball as a right-arm off-spinner, has a fantastic pair of hands and can strike a long ball."

The Hove wicket is "almost too dry already," said Kirtley, adding that wicket-taker extraordinaire Mushtaq Ahmed "probably wouldn't be too worried."

When Naved joins up with the Pakistan squad touring England from mid-season, another overseas player is likely to be signed.

And how about another tilt at the Championship?

"When we won in 2003, it came very early for what was a young, developing side," said Kirtley.

"That side's been together for another two years. We've grown together as a side and have a couple of years with this core of players left.

"We want to make the most of it, so this year and next year I think we can push to regain that pennant."



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