Sussex head coach Paul Farbrace admits there is added expectation in this year's Metro Bank One Day Cup, after their successful 2022 campaign.

An explosive approach to the 50-over competition saw records tumble as Sharks topped the group and reached the semi-finals.

And they visit Oxford on Sunday, before hosting Buckinghamshire on Tuesday in two warm-up matches before launching their next bid against Durham on August 4.

"There is a bit of pressure on the team this year, which there probably hasn't been in any other competition, simply because the team got to the semi-final last year, which I quite like the idea of," Farbrace told the club website.

"That for me is what I am looking forward to most, to see how they handle the expectation of winning games.

“As far as I am concerned it is absolutely about winning and in terms of 50-over cricket, there will be members and spectators who having watched the team last year, will be expecting to see the team win plenty of games again and I think that is a fair expectation.”

Ali Orr was in stunning form last year, scoring the first double century by a Sussex player in List A cricket and finishing with 526 runs at an average of 58.44.

And Farbrace says the side's mix of youth and experience will continue to attack.

"I only know how to play one way in this format and that's to be as positive, as attacking and as aggressive as you possible can be," he added.

"I'm looking forward to it. It is a brilliant release of the grind of four-day cricket and I'm excited to see how this group deals with that weight of expectation.

"We have pretty much got a full squad to pick from, with only George Garton away at The Hundred.

"Steve Finn and Ali Orr are close to returning to fitness and we of course have Pujara back with us.

“It’s no secret that we are lacking in some experience in this squad, so to have Finny and Puj coming back in will be invaluable to us.

“The most important any senior player can do for a team is to take their wickets and score their runs, having said that Finny has been outstanding for us off the field when he’s been injured.

“He is an excellent, intelligent, senior professional, who has been a role model for the bowlers in our group all year.

“But the thing he wants to do more than anything is to get back on the field helping the team, and he isn’t far away so that is great news for us.”

Opener Tom Haines will captain the Sharks in the competition and has the full backing of Farbrace.

"Tom will captain the 50-over side, that was always the plan, even knowing Pujara was coming back," he added.

"The captaincy is a really important decision for us to get right on the field going forward and this is an opportunity for us to assess how Tom is as a captain in this tournament.

"This was the plan all along and I'm looking forward to watching the team being led by Hainsey."

And although the One Day Cup appears to be down the list of priority for some, with much talk focused on Test and franchise cricket around the world, Farbrace feels is has a vital role to play.

"I think there is scope to develop the 50-over game, but the great thing is it provides fantastic opportunities for professionals to continue playing throughout August and a chance for players to bridge the gap between red-ball and T20 cricket," he said.

"When you talk to a lot of county cricket members, they will tell you how much they love the 50-over cricket at their grounds, particularly as they get to watch many of the homegrown players they support."

Entry to Tuesday's warm-up game s free of charge, with all spectators seated in the Pavilion. Members can use their membership cards on the day and non-members can register in advance to secure a free ticket.

For more information or to secure a ticket over the phone, call the Box Office on 01273 827100.

To see the Sussex Sharks in One Day Cup action this August, supporters can get four matches for the price of two with a One Day Cup Pass.

You can purchase tickets to all four home games from as little as £10 for Juniors and £20 for adults. See club website for more details.

Fixtures (11am start) - August 4 Durham H; August 6 Northamptonshire A; August 9 Derbyshire A; August 11 Somerset A; August 13 Glamorgan H; August 18 Gloucestershire H; August 20 Worcestershire A; August 22 Warwickshire H.

All home fixtures at the 1st Central County Ground.