Sussex have nothing to fear from star-studded Surrey in the quarter-finals of the Benson and Hedges Cup, according to centurion Bas Zuiderent.
The Dutchman's maiden ton in yesterday's 60 run win over Hampshire meant the county finished top of the south group and will have home advantage against Adam Hollioake's talented outfit at Hove in a fortnight's time.
Surrey have been county champions for the past two seasons and the signing of Mark Ramprakash and former Sussex fast bowler Ed Giddins in the winter means they could field a side with ten internationals at the County Ground on May 22.
But Zuiderent believes Sussex are capable of toppling them after recording their third B&H victory in four days at the Rosebowl yesterday. Zuiderent finished on 102 not out and Murray Goodwin made 87 before acting captain James Kirtley took the second hat-trick of his county career as Hampshire were bowled out for 195.
Zuiderent said: "I really think we have a good chance against Surrey, especially at Hove.
"It's on home soil and we are now two games away from the final which is a great incentive. I'm very confident we can beat them because the team spirit at the moment is fantastic.
"We haven't had Chris Adams or Tony Cottey for any of the three games but everyone has contributed at some stage. It's been a great effort by everyone."
Kirtley said: "I didn't bowl that well in my second spell, but I came back again and did what I do best at the end of an innings. Afterwards Adrian Aymes came up to congratulate me on the hat-trick so it must have been a good ball."
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