Sussex believe they can finally be a hit in Twenty20 cricket.

The county have never reached the knockout stages of the competition but are confident of going all the way to the finals this season.

They start their campaign against Essex at Hove tonight (6.30pm) having lost just twice in 19 one-day games since last year's Twenty20 Cup when they won just one match.

Director of cricket Peter Moores said: "It will be disappointing if we don't at least reach the knockout stages for the first time. We're in it to win it.

"Our aim this season was to be competitive in all competitions, which we have been, but we have targeted the Twenty20."

The county have won seven successive one-day games and are full of confidence. That has not always been the case ahead of the Twenty20 campaign.

"You don't fluke a run like the one we've had. In the past, Twenty20 was almost a way of relieving the pressure but I haven't seen many better one-day teams than ourselves this season. We look good on paper and are backing that up on the field with our performances."

The competition has been expanded so each county plays eight games. The top two in each group and the two best runners-up go into the quarter-finals on July 18. Group winners are guaranteed a home tie.

"There are more matches so the better side will prevail," said Moores. "The south group is very competitive.

"We face a very tough start against Essex. They are top of division one in the totesport and will fancy their chances.

"But you have to win your home games. We haven't been beaten since May 1 and we want to keep that going."

Meanwhile, Moores is to become an advisor to the England selection panel.

Rod Marsh has removed himself from the selection panel as part of his countdown to the end of his reign as the National Academy director at the end of this summer.

The former Australian wicketkeeper announced his decision to end his post at the Academy and return home earlier this year but has remained on the selection panel alongside chairman David Graveney, Geoff Miller and coach Duncan Fletcher.

However, Marsh has now announced he would no longer be an active member of the panel and will instead oversee the handover of the Academy to Moores, his successor.

Moores will liaise with Marsh for the remainder of the summer to select the A tour squad and Academy intake for next winter.