Skipper Chris Adams is confident his Sussex side will soon start to climb the Championship table despite failing to register a win so far this season.

The county are still without a victory in defence of their title after their latest game against Warwickshire petered out into a draw at Horsham.

"People will look at the table and be concerned because after this week we will have played six matches, but I don't think there is too much wrong with us at the moment," said Adams.

"We need to get on the sort of roll we had last season when we seemed to win games almost without thinking about it. We can't work any harder than we are and morale in the squad is good. A win this week would put us in a good position and that's what we're targetting."

Sussex were bowled out for 562, a deficit of 38, after extending their first innings until the stroke of lunch.

Mushtaq Ahmed made 62 but hobbled off after being struck on the toe when Alan Richardson had him leg before. The Pakistani leg-spinner did not bowl in Warwickshire's second innings because of a stomach bug.

With no prospect of a result, Ian Bell and Nick Knight settled for an extended net after lunch and both made half-centuries as Warwickshire closed on 188-2 second time around.

"Chasing 600 and having to get 450 just to avoid the follow-on creates mental pressure if nothing else, but I thought we played well," said Adams.

"Personally, I felt I needed a score even though it's been a good start in the Championship for me despite the lack of cricket we've played."

Sussex 562
Warwickshire 600 and 188 for 2