Adams rejects contract offer

Chris Adams has yet to sign a new contract with Sussex, after rejecting a recent offer for a two-year extension. Adams, 33, joined the county in 1998 after securing his release from Derbyshire, and last year led Sussex to the first County Championship triumph of their 164-year history.

He claims to be happy with the money on offer, but would prefer an extra year on his contract. "I would hope that a three-year extension would see me put pen to paper," he said. "I just want some security in terms of length of contract and they are reluctant to visit that area."

After his successes in 2003, Adams knows that he is a valued commodity. "There are only a few times in your career when you are in a position to negotiate a good contract and this is certainly one of them," he said. "But at the moment I just have to get on with this coming season and put in my best efforts as we look to defend the County Championship and win some other trophies for the club."

Adams is keen to continue playing for five, maybe six years, and hoped that Murray Goodwin will be returning as Sussex's second overseas signing, although there is a chance that Sussex will shop for a bigger name instead. "We would have to consider what's best for the team," said Adams, "but also we need to look at what's best for the club in a marketing sense."