New skipper Carl Read admits his Hastings and St Leonards side face a real battle to keep their county title.

Hastings won the Sussex League by 67 points last summer but, as Read prepares to take charge against Steyning in tomorrow's opener, he knows a similarly easy triumph is unlikely.

He said: "It looks like quite an even season. We are a bit weaker and four or five other teams look stronger so it should be a good year for the neutral."

The champions have lost all-rounder Andy Cornford, who took 35 wickets at 11.11 apiece last year, to rivals Brighton and Hove while former Sussex wicketkeeper Nick Wilton is taking a break.

Last season's skipper Jason Finch keeps wicket this year.

Batsman George Campbell is away working for much of the season but Hastings will expect lots of runs from Western Province batsman Jono McLean.

The 23-year-old has played for South Africa's national academy and is expected to bat at No. 3.

Brighton and Horsham will be aiming for the title but Read warned: "East Grinstead, Steyning and Three Bridges all look stronger as well so there could be five or six really good sides."

Read will be up against the youngest skipper in the history of the league in Steyning's 19-year-old Jeremy Green.

Steyning are being coached by former Sussex and Surrey spinner Chris Waller.