Chris Adams says Sussex are prepared to wait to fill their second overseas player slot.

The county approached Australian Andy Bichel about taking over when first-choice Rana Naved joins Pakistan's tour of England in mid-June.

But Bichel, 35, has joined second division Essex.

Adams, preparing for his ninth season as Sussex captain, said: "Andy was very keen to hear what we had to say but he had a better offer from Essex which is fair enough.

"The good thing is that we don't have to rush this. We've got Rana for the first two months and a lot could happen in that time.

"I think we'll just sit in and wait and see who is missing out in the international calender. Lancashire did that last year when Brad Hodge went off with Australia and they ended up picking up Andrew Symonds who was a fantastic signing."

The Sussex squad report for pre-season training next Tuesday. Their first friendly is on April 5 against Northamptonshire at Hove.

The county could be naming their new chief executive at the AGM on March 28. Nine of the 28 applicants are being interviewed by a panel including ECB deputy chairman Michael Soper.

Chairman David Green said: "The quality was very high and included some good internal applicants."