Mark Davis has been given a vote of confidence ahead of a make-or-break game for Sussex tonight.

Chairman Jim May insists Davis, pictured, is the right man to turn Sussex’s fortunes around despite a disappointing first season in charge after replacing Mark Robinson as head coach in the wake of relegation from division one of the County Championship.

Luke Wright’s men dug in to maintain their unbeaten record against Kent in the County Championship yesterday but an eighth draw in nine games leaves them well off the pace in division two having started the campaign as title favourites.

The Sharks are bottom of the table in the Royal London One Day Cup and head to Chelmsford tonight knowing only victory will keep alive their slim hopes of reaching the quarter-finals of the NatWest T20 Blast.

May said: “We are very comfortable with the decision to appoint Mark. Prior to his appointment Zac (Toumazi, chief executive) spoke to a lot of significant figures in the cricket world and they all gave Mark a very good reference.

“Obviously results have been disappointing but part of Mark’s brief was to blood youngsters and we have seen the emergence of some very exciting players this season which bodes well for the future.

“The potential there is very strong with the likes of George Garton, Stuart Whittingham, Jofra Archer, Harry Finch and Phil Salt. I fully understand people’s frustrations at how things have gone this season but we also need to look at the bigger picture.”