Sussex are tapping into the support systems used by the England team to get their bowling attack in shape for the new cricket season.

Biomechanist Paul Huriyan, who works regularly with the England squad, has already had one session with the county's bowlers and will return before the start of the 2003 campaign.

He has analysed the action of all the Sussex bowlers and made suggestions which will make their actions more efficient and less prone to injury.

That work, together with extensive sessions in the new indoor school, should pay dividends this summer, according to coach Peter Moores.

He said: "Paul worked with James Kirtley when he re-modelled his action last winter and he came back to conduct a two-day session before Christmas with all our bowlers, including those in the youth academy.

"Some of the bowlers already have a really efficient action and, when you are told that, it is a confidence boost.

"The bowling actions of our players won't alter dramatically but the little changes should make them more efficient and help prevent the niggling little injuries which they have all suffered from time to time.

"With all our bowlers fit and performing well there is going to be real competition for places which is what it's all about."

One of the bowlers, new recruit Shaun Rashid, heads off to South Africa next week to spend three months at the Port Elizabeth Cricket Academy. He will be joined by wicketkeeper-batsman Tim Ambrose and among the coaching staff is county off-spinner Mark Davis.

All-rounder Robin Martin-Jenkins plans to spend some time in Bombay playing club cricket before the start of the new season but most of the squad are wintering in the new indoor nets at Hove and Moores is delighted with the work they have put in.

Paul Hutchison, whose first season with Sussex was blighted by injury, and Michael Yardy have impressed their coach.

Moores added: "Hutch realised he had a lot of work to do in terms of fitness and weights and in the first half of the winter he has really put the work in while Yards has come on leaps and bounds, particularly with his bowling.

"You have to improve 5-10 per cent every year as a professional and the lads are making sure they do that."

Jason Lewry has had an injection in a troublesome knee injury and Kevin Innes is recovering from a slight groin problem but both will be fit for the start of the new season on April 18.