Coach Mark Robinson is happy with Sussex's pre-season preparations after they completed their first week of friendlies with victory over Northamptonshire yesterday.

First-year pro Michael Thornely and 16-year-old Academy batsman Matt Machan were the unlikely heroes as Sussex won by three wickets with one ball to spare.

They looked on course to overhaul Northants' 243-9 when Richard Montgomerie (53) and Chris Nash (58) were putting on 101 for the fourth wicket but then lost four wickets in six overs. Thornely hit an unbeaten 32 off 34 balls and Machen 24 off 22 to come to the rescue.

Earlier, Luke Wright (3-40) and Robin Martin-Jenkins (3-34) had been the pick of the Sussex attack.

Robinson said: "We've had a really good four days. All the batsmen have spent good time in the middle, it's been exciting to see someone like Saqlain Mushtaq bowl for the first time and I've been chuffed with the standard of our fielding."

Murray Goodwin, Mushtaq Ahmed, Rana Naved and Jason Lewry all missed the game. Mushtaq and Goodwin will play against MCC at Lord's next Friday, while Rana arrives on the 13th. Robinson hopes Lewry, who has lost a stone in weight due to a virus, will be fit for a 50 overs game against Surrey at Hove on Monday (10.45am).