Matt Prior believes it is only a matter of time before Brendon McCullum makes a big-hitting impact on Sussex’s Twenty20 Cup campaign.

The opening pair will launch the Sharks’ bid for a record 14th successive victory in the domestic tournament against Gloucestershire Gladiators at Hove tonight (7.10pm).

Prior is in prime form and made an unbeaten 90, his highest Twenty20 score, in last Friday’s seven-wicket win over the Gladiators.

McCullum, meanwhile, has yet to fire with 51 runs in three games and a top score of 22 as he prepares to make his Hove debut.

There have been glimpses of his destructive power in all three innings and Prior would not be surprised if he clicked on his Hove debut today.

He said: “I can’t speak highly enough of Brendon. We have been so fortunate during my time at the club to have so many good overseas players who are not only fine cricketers but good blokes as well and Brendon fits that mould perfectly.

“He oozes confidence and that seems to get the best out of the other players.

“For myself, to walk out to bat with him is fantastic. I think it is only a game or two away from seeing Brendon produce some fireworks. He is just warming up and when it does come right it is going to be very special.”

Sussex are bidding to improve a record for consecutive wins set by Surrey in the first two seasons of the competition, having gone unbeaten since they lost to Kent at Canterbury last June.

They lose Mike Yardy and Luke Wright from today because of England one-day commitments and they are unlikely to return until the penultimate south group game on July 16.

But the Sharks should have secured their quarter-final place by then, having won five out of five so far after clinching the title for the first time last season.

Prior, in particular, is relishing prolonged exposure to Twenty20 having scored 145 runs in three games at a strike rate of 154.25.

He said: “When I have been playing Test match cricket before it always seems to be when Sussex are involved in T20s. I have missed out on a lot of it which is frustrating because it is a game I enjoy and feel I can do really well in.

“I am really looking forward to a month of it. It gives me the opportunity to work on my game and play shots which perhaps I didn’t feel I had in my locker. I can almost re-invent myself as a one-day player and hopefully knock on the door for England selection.”

Robin Martin-Jenkins, Ed Joyce and Ollie Rayner all come into contention tonight as Sussex try to plug the gaps left by the absence of their England pair.

And acting captain Murray Goodwin might soon have another option of handing Prior the gloves as well as his key role at the top of the order.

Prior has not kept in any of his three games so far after injuring his right hand in the second Test last week but he hopes to be back behind the stumps soon.

He added: “I have ligament damage in my right hand and have been advised to rest it. It still feels a bit fragile when the ball comes near me in the field but as soon as it is ready I will be looking to keep.

“I’m not sure when that will be. It will need a few days to settle down and I might have an injection if that makes it heal quicker. I will do everything because I want to wear the gloves again as soon as possible.”

Sussex’s Friends for a Fiver scheme is in operation tonight. Supporters can get in for £5 providing an adult has bought a full-priced ticket (£18) by noon today. Book online at www.sussexcricket.co.uk or call 0844 264 0206.

Sussex (from): Prior, McCullum, Goodwin, Joyce, Nash, Gatting, Arafat, Hodd, Martin-Jenkins, Beer, Kirtley, Rayner, Keegan, Panesar, Aga.

Gloucestershire (possible): Porterfield, Franklin, Gidman, Marshall, Taylor, Kadeer Ali, Snell, Butler, Lewis, Ireland, Bannerjee, Kirby.