SUSSEX'S cricketers have already made a big splash - before a ball has been bowled.

The players gave their own version of the Full Monty on Hove seafront yesterday as they reported back to the County Ground to start preparing for the new season. They stripped off on the beach, then walked into the sea together and back out again. The unorthodox team-bonding exercise was dreamed up by player-coach Peter Moores. It's all part of the new regime's bid to turn Sussex from also-rans into a mean, competitive machine. "When I told them what we were going to do everybody looked at me as if I was barking mad," Moores said. "No one took their kit completely off, but they all went in, and all credit to them. "The water was freezing and it required a big effort from everybody, but we were all in it together. "I think the lads got the message. We were trying to make the point that things have changed at Sussex, and they have got to change." Sussex's unique build-up to their first match against Lancashire at Hove on April 17 continues at Christ's Hospital School in Horsham tomorrow with three days of gym work, swimming, basketball and soccer. The squad will even have to complete an assault course. Director of cricket Dave Gilbert said: "None of them will have a bat in their hands over the three days. This programme is designed to test out how hard they can push themselves and to build up team spirit."

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