Jason Lewry is to miss the start of the new season after contracting glandular fever.

Sussex’s veteran left-armer, who was their leading wicket-taker last season with 41 first-class victims including the 600th of his career, will be out for at least a fortnight.

He will definitely miss Sussex’s Championship opener against Lancashire at Hove on April 21 and there are fears that Lewry, who celebrated his 38th birthday last week, might be sidelined for a more prolonged period.

Cricket manager Mark Robinson said: “We’re hoping that Jason can get over this illness quite quickly but you never know with glandular fever.

“It can leave you very weak but within a couple of weeks he will hopefully be on the road to a full recovery.”

The county are still trying to tie up a deal to bring in a short-term replacement for Yasir Arafat, possibly until the end of the Twenty20 World Cup, but have been stalled by red tape and an announcement this week now appears unlikely.

Arafat, who signed a two-year contract to return to Sussex during the winter, has been named in Pakistan’s squad for a one-day series against Australia in Dubai starting on April 22 and he is also in their 30-man provisional squad for the World Cup.

There is a three-week window – the minimum time an overseas player has to be contracted – between the end of the Australia series and the start of the World Cup but Sussex are still seeking confirmation from the Pakistan Cricket Board as to whether Arafat will be required to play in Twenty20 warm-up matches or attend a training camp.

Corey Collymore’s return for a second season at Hove has been delayed while he waits for his visa.

Robinson hoped Collymore might be able to play in next week’s three-day friendly against Cambridge University at Fenners, but the odds on that happening are lengthening all the time and he may have to be pitched straight into the Championship opener against Lancashire on April 21, especially if Arafat’s replacement has not been tied up by then.

South African Pepler Sandri, who suffered a side strain playing for Cape Cobras last month, was able to bat for the first time yesterday since linking up with the county but does not expect to be fully match fit for another fortnight.

James Kirtley is still recovering from winter shoulder surgery while Ragheb Aga has been sidelined by a hamstring strain.

But there was some good news on the bowling front yesterday when Luke Wright came through his first workout since injuring his ankle in New Zealand last month playing for England A.

After smashing 88 off just 71 balls, Wright took 3-39 in 7.3 overs, removing Sam Northeast for 11 in his three-over opening spell before returning to the attack to claim the wickets of Paul Dixey and Martin Saggers as Sussex beat last year’s FP Trophy finalists Kent by 69 runs in a 50 overs friendly at Hove.

Robin Martin-Jenkins took 2-34 including the key wicket of Martin van Jaarsveld for a fifth-ball duck while leg spinner Will Beer claimed the scalps of experienced pair James Tredwell and Azhar Mahmood in successive overs.

Kent’s reply was held together by opener Joe Denly, who made 85 off 93 balls before he became the first of two victims for skipper Mike Yardy.

Earlier Joe Gatting had staked his claim for a place in the side for the FP Trophy opener against Gloucestershire at Bristol next week with 51 out of a century opening stand with Ed Joyce, who made 47 after his century against Northamptonshire earlier this week.

Murray Goodwin fell for just 12 in his first innings of the season but Wright and Carl Hopkinson (39) added 94 for the sixth wicket with Wright hitting eight fours and two sixes in an impressive display of strokeplay.

Sussex’s 282-8 always looked too much and Kent were eventually dismissed for 213 in 41.3 overs.

The sides meet again in another 50 overs contest at Hove today (11am).