Kirtley stands down from vice-captaincy

James Kirtley is aiming to rebuild is bowling this summer © Getty Images

James Kirtley has given up the vice-captaincy of Sussex so that he can concentrate on refining his new bowling action. He was due to be Chris Adams' No. 2 at Hove, but Sussex will now play without an official vice-captain.

Kirtley will still fill in for Adams if the captain is missing, and retains ambitions to lead Sussex himself one day, but feels it is more important to get his bowling back in order after his remedial work on his action during the winter. It is also his benefit season in 2006.

He told The Argus: "I need to start focusing on my new action and getting used to bowling it again in first-class cricket. I would still like to lead the side at some stage but it might also be time to look at who the next long-term captain might be."

Meanwhile, Sussex have offered a one-month trial to Duncan Spencer, who played for Western Australia but is English qualified having been more in Burnley. He was handed an 18-month ban by Cricket Australia in 2001 (then the ACB) after he tested positive for nandrolone.

Spencer said he was taking the drug to ease a chronic back complaint and has since rebuilt his career playing for Melville was is viewed as a possible replacement for Rana Naved-ul-Hasan when he departs for Pakistan's tour of England.

Mark Robinson, the cricket manager, said: "If Duncan does well and we keep him on it gives us flexibility when Rana goes. We might not need to sign a like-for-like fast bowling replacement for Rana. It could be a batsmen or even a spinner if one of our senior players gets injured."