Sussex will not be playing county cricket at Eastbourne again until 2003 at the earliest.

They will not be returning to the Saffrons until facilities and the quality of the wicket have improved.

The county pulled out last year when the Saffrons' authorities rented out the ground for a pop concert.

But Sussex had been critical of the facilities on their last visit in 2000 when the match against Northamptonshire lasted barely three days and the pitch was reported to the ECB.

Chairman Don Trangmar said: "We would like to think that the Saffrons will do work on and off the pitch to enable us to go back there, possibly in 2003.

"We are aware that they are in discussion with Eastbourne Borough Council and that with investment between them they can reinvigorate the festival into a proper cricket week."

Horsham will decide by the end of next week whether they can stage the National League match against Essex for June 4, eight days after the scheduled Championship match at Cricketfield Road against Leicestershire finishes.

Festival organiser Kevin Barnes said: "There is a cost implication but I'm hoping and expecting that we stage both games.

"The county understand the logistical problems and have been very flexible. I would be very loathe not to have five days of couny cricket at Horsham."

Sussex play a C&G Trophy tie against Buckinghamshire and a Championship match at Tunbridge Wells against Kent in between the two Horsham dates.

Arundel will host county champions Yorkshire in July and Hastings will stage a three-day friendly against Bradford/Leeds UCCE in May.

Sussex's opening match in Division One is against Surrey at the Oval while Somerset visit Hove for the opening home fixture.

Applications for the post of Chief Executive at Hove closed today, but Trangmar does not expect Dave Gilbert's successor to take over until next February.

A shortlist is being put together by committee member John Ebdon and Trangmar said there had already been some good quality applicants.