Michael Bevan's return to action for Sussex seems certain to be delayed until Thursday.

Bevan was flying to England today after the completion of Australia's one-day series in South Africa. He is due to arrive early tomorrow morning, hours before Sussex entertain Surrey in the Benson and Hedges Cup.

Bevan was pencilled in to play, but coach Peter Moores admitted today that was 'highly unlikely.' "It is entirely Bev's call," said Moores, "But I very much doubt if he will play, it's highly unlikely.

"He's had a busy schedule and our own programme over the next couple of weeks is very hectic and there won't be much time for him to have a break. Unless he's got a burning desire to play I think tomorrow he'll want to settle in, rest up and then go up with us to Lord's on Wednesday for practice before the game on Thursday against Middlesex."

Bevan arrives with fellow Australians Shane Warne and Glenn McGrath, neither of whom are scheduled to make their Hampshire and Worcestershire debuts until the end of the week.

Meanwhile Moores admits his players are starting to feel frustration at their lack of competitive cricket. Saturday's opening Benson and Hedges Cup tie against Kent at Canterbury was abandoned over an hour before the scheduled start after heavy overnight rain left parts of the outfield under water.

And tomorrow's home tie with Surrey (10.45am) is already in some doubt.

In an effort to get some match practice four players who were in Saturday's squad - Bas Zuiderent, Jamie Carpenter, Umer Rashid and Billy Taylor - will play for the seconds in a friendly against Hampshire at Southampton today.

"It is a bit frustrating at the moment because the lads are bursting to get out there and play," added Moores. "We had a meeting before the Kent game and you could sense that everyone was up for it and fancied we could beat Kent.

With Bevan not playing, Sussex seem certain to name an unchanged 13 for the Surrey game.