Sussex to avoid future floodlight failure

Sussex have announced the development of new floodlights after the embarrassment of last season when they failed and forced a premature end to a Twenty20 Cup match against Kent .

Brighton and Hove Council gave permission for the erection of two new pylons - one behind the members pavilion and a second just north of the main scoreboard - to add to the existing eight, which will also be revamped.

Chief executive Dave Brooks said: "The original lights erected in 1998 were unable to offer the light required to meet ECB guidelines. They had become obsolete and rather unreliable. After our issues in 2009, I am delighted that the Council have accepted this application and the understanding and input from local residents has been a real help in achieving this."

The new lights will run by a different system to the troublesome generator of last year, when floodlight failure meant a Twenty20 match had to be shortened. Visitors Kent were 66 without loss from 11 overs chasing a modest 131 when bad light stopped play. Unable to continue, Sussex - eventual winners of the tournament - won by two runs through Duckworth/Lewis.

Brooks is understandably be keen to avoid any further mishaps next season. "With funding partly supplied by the ECB, I am looking forward to this significant improvement in the staging of floodlit cricket at Hove from 2010."