Wright could play World Cup role for Sussex

Luke Wright may be asked to reprise his England World Cup role in Sussex’s crucial Twenty20 Cup tie against Surrey at Hove tonight (7pm).

The 24-year-old all-rounder scored 113 runs – only Kevin Pietersen and his opening partner Ravi Bopara made more – during the tournament but his four appearances for Sussex in the domestic competition have been made at No. 3 where he has scored 86 runs including two ducks.

Coach Mark Robinson said: “We have some tough selection issues. Luke opening has to be an option but there are a few players who have put their hats into the ring.”

The Sharks are top of the South Group after winning three successive games before the two-week break but they have played more games than all of their rivals.

One win from their two remaining fixtures should be enough to secure a quarter-final slot and the top-three finish which also guarantees a place in the new English Premier League when it launches in 2010.

Robinson has urged his side to get the job done tonight against a Surrey side they have already defeated at The Oval.

He said: “We know if we win tonight it puts us in a really good position.

“We don’t want to be having to go to Lord’s on Sunday needing to win our final game because the chances are we will be playing on the edge of the square with a short boundary or on a used World Cup wicket in the middle.

“Surrey are a very good team with some dangerous players who will feel they are still in with a chance if they win.”

Robinson’s main concern is that Sussex may have lost some of the momentum they built up before the break for Championship action.

But he insists the glamour friendly against Australia starting less than two days later will not be a distraction.

He added: “We have to try to recreate the confidence and self belief which was there three weeks ago when we won three in a row.

“We have a few sore minds, bodies and egos after losing to Somerset in the Championship last week but the boys were back in yesterday ahead of a very big week of cricket for the club.

“I am looking forward to tonight first and if that goes well it will set us up for a great occasion against Australia on Wednesday. Twenty20 is our sole focus at the moment.”

Former Sussex captain Chris Adams returns for his second game since leaving Sussex to become Surrey’s cricket manager. He said: “A win at Hove would be a significant victory for us because our last three games are all at The Oval and we will be looking to kick on and hopefully qualify for the quarter-finals.”

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