Sussex could play Adams, less at risk as a slip-fielder, because his confident presence has proved a sustaining psychological help. They lost heavily to Derbyshire at Horsham without him but remain joint top of the table with Surrey.

Peter Moores, who switched to coaching this month after 13 years as wicketkeeper, cannot remember even flirting with the top before, but knows how to deal with vertigo.

He said yesterday that it was easy to lose a sense of proportion if they looked too hard at the table, adding: ``For day to day purposes we worry about the way we're going to play. If we play well, the results should follow.''

Matthew Maynard is hoping to bolster Glamorgan's batting against Middlesex at Lord's, where they have not won since 1954. The champions' captain has been out with a groin strain for almost a month.

England A star Chris Read will finally make his championship debut for Nottinghamshire when they take on Durham at Trent Bridge. Read will replace Wayne Noon, whose broken finger will keep him out for three weeks.