SUSSEX will no doubt win a trophy this summer if the fantasy script is to be followed, but they must make sure of beating Gloucestershire handsomely at Hove today if they are to stay in the Benson and Hedges Cup.

Half the old team departed, new captain, different committee all this has increased the team spirit under Peter Moores, while Brighton and Hove Albion's successful struggle against footballing extinction nearby has caused a few wry smiles at the County Ground.

Defeat by Gloucestershire would set Sussex back, eliminating them and compounding an embarrassing defeat by British Universities at Cambridge last week.

It would be a pity because, as Robin Marlar, their new chairman, phrased it, the whole club have been ``working their socks off'' to turn Sussex's fortunes round since the coup seven weeks ago. Marlar admitted he had been amazed at the ``awareness and passion'' of the membership. He said: ``In the medium term we've got to see how much juice we can squeeze out of the existing orange.

``Eventually we'll have to raise our sights, though we haven't got much money to play with.'' The question of compensation to Nigel Bett, their outgoing secretary, has still to be decided.

Keith Newell, an all-rounder, could miss today's game with flu, with his brother Mark standing by as replacement.

At Chester-le-Street another county wrestling with adversity, Durham, have a reasonable chance of reaching the quarter-finals if they dispose of Leicestershire.

They can avenge the group defeat at Leicester last year, when John Morris scored 145 and finished on the losing side. Durham beat Leicestershire at Stockton two years ago.

Lancashire, the holders, should fend off immediate elimination at Walsall where they meet Minor Counties, who have drafted in Giles Ecclestone, of Cambridgeshire, to replace the out-of-form Jamie Sylvester.