Michael Burgess has revealed his simple target after being handed a big chance out of the blue.

The stand-in Sussex wicketkeeper just wants to be as good as the man he is replacing, Ben Brown.

Burgess aims to excel on Brown’s old stamping ground of Eastbourne tomorrow (11am) as top-flight cricket returns to the Saffrons.

Sussex need a win over struggling Gloucestershire in their pursuit of a quarter-final place in the Royal London One-Day Cup.

It is a big game for the county, for the Saffrons and for Burgess, who was coaching 11-to-18-year-olds until recently and not sure where his big chance would come.

“It has all happened very quickly,” said the former Surrey youngster who was let go by Leicestershire last year.

“It was not something on my radar two or three months ago but I am really pleased with how it is going.

“Maybe that’s good – I didn’t really have time to think about it.

“I came down to Sussex for a couple of sessions and then played in a pre-season friendly.

“Before that I was working at Royal Hospital School in Ipswich with Graham Napier, who is their head of cricket.

“I was coaching the cricket teams there and doing some one-to-one.

“I did a level two coaching course five years ago and I’ve done some club coaching at Reigate Priory.

“This was the first time I had done it for an extended period with the school and I really enjoyed it.

“But I was also hoping something would happen and I would get the chance to play some cricket.”

That has come after two setbacks for Brown.

Burgess said: “I went down to Sussex, kept wicket for an innings, had a bat and thought I had done okay.

The Argus:

Cricket at the Saffrons in the 1990s

“Unfortunately Browny got hit on the head and was concussed and they had no keeper for a pre-season friendly.

“I kept wicket then and afterwards I played for the second team.”

A broken thumb for Brown let in Burgess for the 50-overs group stage.

Despite defeat at Chelmsford on Wednesday, Sussex are well-placed to go through to the next stage.

Burgess said: “I’ve loved being involved all the time with the bat and taking catches.

“I’m well aware that Browny is a massive part of the team so the aim for me is keep my performances near what his would be.

“I’m not sure what happens when he is back.

“Hopefully I will get the chance to perform well in the second team.”

First, though, comes the chance to regain momentum built during a run of three wins before that missed opportunity in Essex.

Burgess said: “The next two games are must-win for us. It is exciting cricket to be involved in.”

Left-arm spinner Tom Smith, who comes from Eastbourne, hopes to feature for Gloucestershire.

Smith said: “Going to county week at the Saffrons as a young boy with my dad will always be a really fond memory for me.”

Eastbourne last hosted the county’s first team in 2000 but the work of groundsman Jamie Ramsden has helped secure a return.

They have sold out 550 places for a corporate marquee.

There is is room for a further 4,500 spectators, about 500 of whom are expected to be Sussex members.

Sussex’s hopes of finishing in the top three and progressing were boosted yesterday when Hampshire lost a thriller to Glamorgan.

Needing five to win with two balls to go, Chris Cooke (59 not out) lofted Reece Topley for six to settle the contest.

Gloucestershire suffered an 81-run Duckworth-Lewis defeat to Somerset, who are setting the pace.

Set 297 to win off 46 overs, Gloucestershire were 62-4 at one stage and were eventually dismissed for 215. Jack Taylor top-scored in their reply with 68.

Surrey are still in the running for third place after they added to Kent’s ongoing misery with a 44-run win.