Sussex’s side is one of the most exciting this season thanks largley to the signings of pacemen Ajmal Shahzad and Tymal Mills, who both have much potential to fulfil.
Kevin Howells (BBC radio)
If anyone can get the best out of Tymal Mills it's Robinson, and with my favourite championship batsman in the country Ed Joyce along with top T20 man Luke Wright leading the side they will push hard on all fronts.
David Fulton (Sky Sports News)
For me the most interesting of the lot, because of those signings – Mills and Shahzad, two guys who they’ve signed to take wickets on sometimes placid pitches, but who each have a bit to prove. Magoffin and the batters are safer bets, and Cachopa looks handy.
Sussex professional cricket manager Mark Robinson says new signing Ajmal Shahzad can fill the hole left by Chris Jordan at the BrightonandHoveJobs.com County Ground.
Robinson believes that Shahzad can provide the all-round threat to help Sussex make a challenge for trophies this summer.
The 29-year-old’s career has stalled since his last England appearance four years ago as he has since left his home county Yorkshire before unconvincing stints at Lancashire and Nottinghamshire.
During the winter Shahzad made his way to the south coast, where Jordan revived his injury-hit career to graduate into international ranks, and Robinson is hopeful he can help the right-armer rediscover his best.
“We’re delighted that Ajmal is joining us. He is a cricketer of great ability and who hasn’t yet fulfilled all of his potential,” Robinson said.
“He can bowl with a yard of pace and has the potential to be a genuine bowling all-rounder.
“We hope he can have a similar impact that Chris Jordan had, and fulfil the same role helping balance the team.”
Shahzad is one of several interesting signings that Sussex have made during the off-season with left-arm quick Tymal Mills perhaps the most intriguing.
In an era when left-arm pacemen are enjoying plenty of success, Mills’ progress at Hove will likely be closely monitored following his decision to leave Essex.
New Twenty20 skipper Luke Wright has already claimed the 22-year-old has been bowling “rockets” during pre-season.
“We’re hugely excited by the arrival of Tymal,” said Robinson.
“He’s a player of enormous potential who is blessed with great pace and a true fast bowler’s frame, and we can’t wait to see him bowl.”
Mills will need to put his injury problems behind him – he ended last season on the physiotherapist’s table – but a rare winter where he has not been included in England Performance Programmes has allowed him to focus on getting his body right.
Sussex also made one of the most eye-catching NatWest T20 Blast signings of the winter when they confirmed Mahela Jayawardene’s arrival.
The 37-year-old batsman retired from international cricket following Sri Lanka’s World Cup quarter-final exit last month with over 25,000 runs at the top level to his name.
“It is fantastic news that a player of the calibre of Mahela has agreed to join us,” Robinson said.
“His record and his reputation is second to none, and he will also bring into our dressing room his leadership and experience. I’m sure he will be a huge asset to Luke Wright as the new captain, and the whole squad and coaching staff.”
Wright’s appointment as skipper in the Blast is a nod to his impressive showings in the shortest format as well as allowing Ed Joyce a break from leading the team.
“We’re delighted that Luke has agreed to become our T20 captain,” Robinson said.
“He is a proven international player at this level and has gained a wealth of expertise and experience from playing this format all around the world.
“It will allow Ed Joyce to recharge his batteries mentally in what is a busy period of the summer.”
Sussex did endure one sour note of the winter was the premature retirement of Rory Hamilton-Brown at the age of 27 after he failed to recover fully from left wrist surgery.
"We're really sorry that Rory has had to retire from the game,” Robinson said.
"He has always worked incredibly hard during his time at Sussex and has been a popular member of the club with players and staff alike.
"All we can do at this point is to wish him all the best for the next chapter in his life and we look forward to seeing him around the ground in a more social capacity for many years to come."
Sussex
Captain: Ed Joyce (LV= County Championship and Royal London One-Day Cup), Luke Wright (NatWest T20 Blast)
Professional cricket manager Mark Robinson: Mark Robinson
In: Fynn Hudson-Prentice (youth), Tymal Mills (Essex), Ajmal Shahzad (Nottinghamshire), Mahela Jayawardene (Sri Lanka)
Out: Jon Lewis (retired), Rory Hamilton-Brown (retired)