Chris Adams is happy with Sussex's pre-season preparations despite a heavy defeat against Gloucestershire yesterday.

Chasing a target of 258 to win the two-day friendly at Hastings, the county were dismissed for 144 with 12 of their 80 overs unused.

Adams himself seems to have taken the form he showed in the tour of Grenada into the warm-up games at home.

He batted impressively to make 64 while Umer Rashid scored 40 down the order.

Adams said: "We had them 50-odd for six on Monday and if we had carried on using our seamers we would have bowled them out for 140 or so.

"But I wanted to give everyone a decent bowl in what was a practice game.

"We used seven bowlers and although we lost the game I'm glad that they all got some more overs under their belt.

"It was a difficult wicket to bat on. The pitch was slow, the ball didn't come onto the bat and it seamed around a bit, it was horses for courses for Gloucestershire.

"It would have been nice to beat them, especially as we didn't have any practice games last week, but I'm much happier at this stage of the season than I was a year ago.

"The result was immaterial. All we are looking for at the moment is good practice to get our batsmen and bowlers in tune for the first Championship game a week from today.

"If we were playing them today I would know that all our guys had some form under their belts which wasn't the case last season."

Overseas player Murray Goodwin was due to fly in from Harare this morning although he won't figure in today's final warm-up match against Northamptonshire at Northampton which will be played under Benson and Hedges Cup rules.

The county have rested James Kirtley who will captain the second XI today when they take on Kent in a one-day friendly at Hastings from 11.30am.

Tony Cottey is also rested so Jamie Carpenter gets his chance in the middle order.

Adams will again bat at three while Jason Lewry gets a chance to impress in a one-day game. Mark Robinson will also play against his old county.