Jason Lewry showed why he is such a key component of the Sussex side with his nine wicket haul in last week's win over Nottinghamshire.

The 30-year-old has been pretty much a regular fixture in the Championship team since his debut in 1994, but the same cannot be said about one-day cricket.

It is likely the left-armer will again be missing on Wednesday when Sussex take on star-studded Surrey for a place in the semi-finals of the Benson and Hedges Cup.

Both skipper Chris Adams and Dave Gilbert, in his role of co-selector, said they wanted a player of Lewry's undoubted ability to play more of a role in limited overs cricket before the start of the season.

But Lewry missed out in the opening Norwich Union League game against Worcestershire and did not figure either in any of the three B&H Cup ties, all of which Sussex won with a three-pronged seam attack and two spinners.

Lewry has played just once in the one-day league since July 1998 while his limited overs appearances last summer were restricted to four B&H games, where he took four wickets at an average of 45.50, and games against Middlesex Board in the Nat West Trophy and the friendly with Zimbabwe.

He is aware he will struggle to split up the established one-day trio of James Kirtley, Mark Robinson and Robin Martin-Jenkins, but that doesn't mean he accepts the situation.

"I would love to play more one-day cricket, but as things stand at the moment it is very hard for me to say I should be playing," he said.

"Our bowling unit has performed superbly in the B&H games so far and I hope it continues against Surrey on Wednesday. Everyone has done a great job and at the moment there is no room for me.

"I definitely want to play more one-day stuff and if someone gets injured or suffers a loss of form then I am sure I could come in and perform."

The fortnight after Sussex's Championship match at Worcester three weeks ago was entirely devoted to limited overs cricket which might explain why Lewry admitted to feeling a little rusty during the first innings against Notts.

He still took 5-95 and followed that with four more wickets in the second innings for a match haul of 9-160 to set up a first Championship win of the season.

"We didn't win our first Championship match last year until June so this win has given us a big lift, hopefully we can kick on against Warwickshire next week.

"It's a fantastic side to play in at the moment and the spirit and belief is superb. I think you saw that in Notts' second innings.

"No one thought we could bowl them out on what was still such a good pitch but the guys knew they could if we managed to take early wickets."