There has been some strife among members over the behaviour of the crowd at the first Twenty20 game against Surrey.

There has been protest at the raucous behaviour of some sections of the Surrey support. There have also been objections to the response by some Sussex supporters who refused to clap the opposition's boundaries in an apparent flagrant disregard for the etiquette of cricket watching.

Out on the pitch all we knew about it was that there was an incredibly super-charged atmosphere unlike any we had previously seen on a cricket pitch.

I would not complain if all cricket crowds were like that.

A warm Saturday afternoon, during which seagulls cry as they fly over dozing members in deckchairs, is just as suitable an atmosphere for a game of cricket but to play in front of and, no doubt for the majority of you, to have been among a crowd like Friday night's, was a great experience.

A friend of mine, who was sat on the upper tier of the paviilion, was intrigued to follo the reactions of the crowd in his area.

Following several minutes of chanting something about how great the 'rey' were, the Surrey supporters started to verbally abuse some of the Sussex players.

Several children in front of them turned round and gave them the most terrifying death stares that could be mustered by ten year-olds.

Several balls later one of the Sussex bowlers, who had come in for more stick than anyone from the Surrey throng, took a wicket and at once the row of Sussex children turned and shouted in unison at their adversaries, clenching fists in a moment of glorious retribution.

I hope they made the most of that moment because they must have been few and far between on a disappointing night for Sussex.

England's cricket team have played some thrilling Test match cricket in recent times and have gained the respect of the other Test-playing nations.

Having drawn the home series with South Africa last summer, the outcome of the series there this winter may arguably reveal who is the second best side in the world behind Australia. What a different story it is in one-day cricket.

England are languishing in seventh place in the official ICC team ratings after being knocked out of the NatWest Series by New Zealand and West Indies.

They are third in the corresponding Test ratings and have found the right formula for the longer form of the game but have struggled to find a rhythm in limited overs cricket.

On their day, they are capable of playing some scintillating cricket and beating the best. The next day they play like novices.

Sound familiar to Sussex fans?

Sussex's one-day performances have mirrored England's and it is no surprise that both teams have struggled to find a balanced and settled line up.

England are clearly lacking a bowler who can bat at No. 8 and so have tried all manner of permutations to try and cover the fifth bowler's slot.

Sussex have been through the same problems but I feel we have the balance just about right now.

Luke Wright's blossoming ability to bowl his full quota of overs and bat in a number of positions is beginning to give the team equilibrium.

The key now, for both Sussex and England is to produce the consistency in performance that breeds confidence.

Then Sussex fans really will have something to shout about.