A new captain and proven run-scorer in Chris Adams, a new overseas player in Michael Bevan and a new director of cricket in Dave Gilbert should all combine to ensure that Sussex improve markedly on last summer's bottom finish in both the championship and Sunday league.
The problems in 1997 revolved not so much around their attack, which secured as many bowling bonus points as champions Glamorgan, but around the batting. Only Durham gained fewer bonus points and not one batsman averaged 40 in first-class cricket, with only one making 1,000 runs.
A complete overhaul of the top order should make a big difference. The signing of the Warwickshire left-handed opener, Wasim Khan (average 36) could prove one of the best of the close season. Adams, who will open in one-day cricket, will bat at three, with Bevan at four. Gilbert says he will be looking for 1,500 championship runs from each.
For Adams this would be some achievement as he has the added burden of captaincy, his experience of which is minimal. But Gilbert, who earned a considerable reputation at Surrey for motivational and man-management skills, is optimistc.
``He is fully aware of the pressure on him but he wants to put himself under that pressure,'' said Gilbert of Adams. ``It is one of the reasons he came, as Kent wanted him, but he knew that with them there would not have been as much pressure to perform. Here, there will be enough people behind the scenes to help him - Peter Moores, Tony Pigott and myself.''
With Moores now player-coach, Gilbert does not plan to travel to many away games. ``After five years of being track-suited I ran out of puff,'' he confessed. ``I'll be involved with the day-to-day management of the club.'' Keith Greenfield takes over as second-team coach and Chris Waller will work with the 16-19 age group.
Some good news as far as the bowling is concerned is that Jason Lewry, who was injured for the whole of last season, is fully fit. Gilbert has set both Lewry and James Kirtley the target of a place on the Ashes tour next winter. ``James can be as quick as anyone but needed help with his training structure. He has been at the University of Brighton's sports science clinic since November and has put on a lot of bulk. He is also fit.
Paul Jarvis snapped an Achilles' tendon before Christmas in New Zealand but is confident of being fit for the start of the season. The dependability of the old workhorse Mark Robinson is complemented by the raw potential of tall pace bowler Michael Strong, whose attitude has impressed Gilbert.
The spin department is light, even with Bevan's googlies and chinamen, which is why Richard Davis, formerly of Kent, Warwickshire, and Gloucestershire, was signed. He will play only in the Sunday League and the Benson and Hedges Cup on account of his new job with the England and Wales Cricket Board. Gilbert considers Justin Bates, who took five for 89 against Nottinghamshire in the last game of last year, to be an off-spinner of real promise.
The playing staff's relative lack of experience does not concern the Australian. ``We have a unique opportunity to mould a squad the way we want. Sussex cricket has been too soft. We need to be much tougher - a leaner, meaner outfit. If that is going to upset a few people, then tough. Some have yet to grasp the nettle and there will be no place to hide. I want to put in place the foundations for a championship challenge within the next five years.''
24 April 1997: Moores aims to raise depleted Sussex from grave situation
First-Class Fixtures
April
Tue 14: Oxford Univ (The Parks)
Fri 17: Lancs (Hove)
Thu 23: Essex (Chelmsford)
May
Wed 13: Notts (Trent Bridge)
Thu 21: Derbys (Horsham)
Fri 29: Worcs (Worcester)
June
Wed 3: Kent (Tunbridge Wells)
Fri 12: S Africa (Arundel)
Wed 17: Warwicks (Hove)
Fri 26: Leics (Leicester)
July
Wed 1: Somerset (Hove)
Tue 14: Gloucs (Cheltenham)
Fri 24: Australia A (Hove, tbc)
Thu 30: Surrey (Oval)
August
Wed 5: Durham (Eastbourne)
Fri 14: Middx (Hove)
Wed 26: Hampshire (Hove)
Sun 30: Glamorgan (Hove)
Sept
Wed 9 Northants (Northampton)
Thu 17: Yorks (Hove)