Australia to field 12 against Sussex

The ECB have accepted Cricket Australia's request for a 12-a-side contest in their opening match of the Ashes tour against Sussex, at Hove, on June 24.

CA made the request two weeks ago, an idea which did not go down well with the Sussex chief executive, David Brooks, who expressed concern that by fielding 12 players the four-day match, "is not a proper game any more". The club's professional cricket manager, Mark Robinson, has nevertheless accepted the decision.

"We are delighted to be hosting the opening match of the Ashes tour," Robinson said. "Whilst ideally we would have liked the game to have been played 11-a-side, the 12 a-side participation will mean that the Sussex public will see more of the major Australian players. We will be fielding the strongest possible Sussex side to test the Australian team in this important warm-up fixture."

The Australia captain, Ricky Ponting, said: "There will be fierce competition for places in our starting line-up for the first Test at Cardiff and we will be going all out for an emphatic performance at Hove. The arrangement for 12 players to participate in the match will not impact on the intensity of our cricket and will provide invaluable preparation for an additional player."

The agreement from the ECB comes after England were allowed to field a 12-man team in their warm-up match, against New South Wales, ahead of the first Test in Brisbane on the 2006-07 tour of Australia.

Australia's second warm-up match, against England Lions, is set to remain an 11-a-side contest.