Sussex are putting faith in their all-rounders as they aim to put 30 years of underachievement in the Benson and Hedges Cup behind them.

The likes of Will House and Michael Yardy, who have worked hard on their bowling during the winter, could be set to play key roles for the county, starting in the opening south group match against Essex at Chelmsford tomorrow (10.45am).

Coach Peter Moores and captain Chris Adams want to play a side with more batting depth and that means relying on their all-rounders to do their bit with the ball.

Sussex won't name their squad until after the Championship match against Somerset finishes today, but their selection represents a definite change of tactics.

Moores said: "With the players we have we feel there is an opportunity to put out a side which has more depth in batting and that is the way forward for us.

"It means if you lose a couple of wickets the middle order still has confidence to play their shots because they know there is more depth. And if we need 50 off the last ten overs then we will have guys coming in at seven, eight and nine who can knock the ball around.

"You always want to go into the competition with your batters and bowlers feeling good. So far everyone has got a score and although the bowling isn't quite firing on all cylinders I think we are getting there."

James Kirtley, who picked up his 21st five-wicket haul yesterday, is a nailed-on selection. But Billy Taylor, who has added an extra yard of pace during the winter, may also get an opportunity.

The county's record over the years in the B&H is abysmal. They have never won the competition although they have qualified from the group stages for the last two years.