Two Sussex players got the chance to rub shoulders with England's international stars today.

Matt Prior and Carl Hopkinson were called up to perform 12th man duties for the first three days of the second Test against West Indies, which started at Edgbaston today.

As well as fielding and drinks-carrying duties, the pair can expect to warm-up and net with the squad before each day's action.

For Prior, it will be an opportunity to remind coach Duncan Fletcher of his potential after a successful England A trip to India earlier this year when he was one of the few players to be praised in coach Rod Marsh's end-of-tour report.

Hopkinson, meanwhile, is just relishing the opportunity to put himself in the limelight before the pair travel to Taunton on Saturday night for the following day's totesport League match against Somerset.

He said: "It should be a fantastic experience just to see exactly what happens at a Test match.

"Hopefully I will take a brilliant catch or something and make a name for myself. I don't know who is going to field and who'll be carrying drinks, I expect we'll have to toss for it."

Jamie Carpenter, who has since left the staff, and James Kirtley, who went on to play four Tests for his country, were the last Sussex players to perform 12th man duties for their country six years ago when England beat South Africa at Trent Bridge to square a series they subsequently won 2-1.

Hopkinson said: "James told me I had to go because it's a quality experience which he really enjoyed.

"I know a couple of the players. I've played quite a bit against Geraint Jones when we've played Kent seconds and I made my debut against Andrew Flintoff in a one-dayer against Lancashire in 2001, although I doubt if he'll remember it!"