Coach Peter Moores believes the rivalry between youngsters Matt Prior and Tim Ambrose can help make Sussex a force in county cricket.

The county passed 300 runs for the first time this season in the Championship match against Warwickshire thanks to solid contributions from their two wicketkeeper-batsmen.

Ambrose top-scored with 85 while Prior, who is in possession of the keeper's gloves at the moment, hit 82 as the pair put on a Sussex seventh wicket record partnership of 115 in matches between the two sides at Edgbaston.

With Sussex struggling for runs early in the season, the temptation to let Ambrose keep wicket and stiffen the order with a sixth specialist batsman has increased.

But Moores, a former wicketkeeper himself, believes yesterday's performances prove that both deserve to stay in the side.

He said: "It's always an option for Tim to keep. He is a very talented player who already keeps in one-day cricket and is keen to do so in Championship matches as well.

"Matt is in possession at the moment although it was a very tight call between the two of them at the start of the season.

"Matt has a lot more experience which is in his favour. He is naturally a more high-energy cricketer than Tim who is a bit more laid back. Both are improving all the time and we are fortunate to have that option.

"It's a pretty tight scrap between the two of them at the moment but that rivalry can only be good for Sussex.

"Both made good scores yesterday which will give them and the side as a whole a lot of confidence.

"In both our two previous Championship matches we've played on two challenging wickets when both sides have been bowled out for low scores. The pitch at Edgbaston is a lot better but we still had to work hard because Warwickshire bowled very well, particularly on Saturday."

Moores says there will be opportunities for fringe batsmen to force their way into the side against Zimbabwe in the tour match at Hove on Thursday.

Skipper Chris Adams and Murray Goodwin, who played 19 Tests for Zimbabwe, will be among those rested, giving Michael Yardy and possibly Bas Zuiderent a chance to impress.

Yardy missed the last third of the 2002 season because of a knee injury while the form of Ambrose meant Zuiderent was restricted to just one Championship appearance last summer.

Moores added: "With a squad of only 18 pros there are going to be a few good players with quite a bit of experience not playing so we should be able to rest one or two of the lads and still put out a strong side."

thisisbrightonandhove.co.uk/sport/cricket