Skipper Ed Joyce has hinted that Sussex might play without a frontline spinner in the Championship next season.

Sussex have operated with a three-man seam attack complimented by the left-arm spin of Monty Panesar for the last three seasons to finish fifth, fourth and third in division one.

Panesar’s well-publicised problems last season, which led to his contract being terminated, combined with a lack of high-quality replacements has prompted Sussex to consider a change of approach.

Only one spinner – Warwickshire’s Jeetan Patel – finished in the top 15 of the leading wicket-takers in division one last season underlining Joyce’s belief that an out-and-out slow bowler is not crucial in four-day cricket anymore.

Champions Durham and runners-up Yorkshire both fielded four-man seam attacks with their spinning options coming from all-rounders Scott Borthwick and Adil Rashid respectively.

Nottinghamshire – unless Graham Swann is available – follow the same format with Samit Patel operating as their main spinner and Joyce feels it could be the way forward for Sussex too.

Joyce said: “Spin bowlers are less important to win the Championship. It is a huge advantage if you have got a good one but since I’ve been at Sussex there have only been two games I can remember where you’ve had to have a gun spinner.

“If you look at the make-up of the sides who did well last season they have a strong ‘engine room’ so the make-up of our side might be different next year.”

Ashar Zaidi filled the spinning all-rounder role in Sussex’s final two games last season after applying for a trial and impressed enough with both bat and ball to make it likely he will be offered a contract for next summer.

Joyce reckons Zaidi is good enough to bat in the top six and share the spinning duties with Chris Nash which would make room for another seamer to ease the workload on Steve Magoffin, Chris Jordan and Jimmy Anyon.

Luke Wright only bowled 77 overs in the Championship last season and Sussex are wary they must use him sparingly due to his ongoing knee condition so bringing in another all-rounder who can bowl seam might be the priority.

Sussex also have leg-spinner Will Beer to call on for any games where it looks like the wicket will offer turn while coach Mark Robinson has hinted that Mike Yardy could bowl more in the Championship next season too.