Sussex skipper Chris Adams has given the thumbs-up to the new Twenty20 Cup, even though his side lost their first match in the competition.

Replying to Hampshire's 153 all out, Sussex finished on 147-7 from their 20 overs despite an unbeaten 54 from Tim Ambrose in front of a crowd of nearly 9,000 at the Rose Bowl.

Adams said: "We lost the game, which is obviously disappointing, but it was a great occasion to be part of.

"Full credit to Hampshire who have put on a fantastic show.

"My only concern before was whether the teams could produce a game to match the occasion and we did by taking it down to the last over."

Adams admitted Sussex would have to give more thought to their batting order.

While Hampshire's openers James Hamblin and Derek Kenway put on 66 in eight overs, the visitors were 58-4 at the same stage of their reply and always struggling after that.

He added: "The crucial period is the first six overs and we've got to work out who we can sacrifice early on so we may have to look at our order but I thought our bowlers pegged them back well after they had got off to a flyer."

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