Sussex are playing the numbers game this season as they try to win their first County Championship title.

For the first time the players' shirts will have names and numbers on the back in the style of Premiership footballers.

It's a big break in tradition for a club regarded for so long as one of the more conservative counties.

But Sussex only decided to play the numbers game after consulting the members and the players are keen to embrace the idea.

Vice-captain James Kirtley, who will be sporting the No. 6 shirt, said: "I'm all for it and I think it's a step forward.

"It should certainly help the spectators identify the players and anything that improves the game for the watching public is a good thing."

The new shirts are already being used during Sussex's pre-season friendlies. Their next warm-up game is against Worcestershire at Hove over two days, starting on Thursday.

Mushtaq Ahmed, who took two wickets against Gloucestershire on Sunday, will get another run-out while his fellow overseas player Murray Goodwin arrives on Friday.

The Zimbabwean will play in the three-day match against Cardiff UCCE which starts on Good Friday, five days before the Championship opener against first division newcomers Middlesex at Lord's.

Meanwhile, Sussex will be taking a second look at trialist Ashley Wright when the second XI play a friendly against Somerset next week.

The 22-year-old was released by Leicestershire at the end of last season and scored 33 against Gloucestershire on Sunday.

Director of Cricket Peter Moores said: "We have a squad of 18 and if there is an opening it is probably for a batsman rather than a bowler. Ashley's a good cricketer and played quite nicely on Sunday so we are going to have another look at him next week."

sussex lose - Page 40