Sussex hope to stage a game in the inaugural Women’s Cricket Super League this summer despite being priced out of bidding for hosting rights.

The county initially registered their interest in being one of the six teams in the new Twenty20 competition which is hoped will emulate the success of the women’s Big Bash League in Australia. But chief executive Zac Toumazi has admitted the cost of being a primary host was prohibitive and Sussex instead opted to be one of the partners in Hampshire’s successful bid.

Hampshire are expected to stage games on the nursery ground at the Ageas Bowl but Sussex are keen to host one match, with Arundel the most likely venue.

Toumazi said: “We think the Women’s Cricket Super League will be a really interesting tournament but when I looked at the financial commitment to bid on our own I couldn’t justify it, especially when I am having to cancel the Horsham festival this season.

“We have to cut our cloth accordingly, it’s as simple as that. If I had a few hundred thousand pounds swimming around then we would have seriously considered it but we don’t.

“It doesn’t mean we are not supporting the competition and that is why we are part of the south east bid. We will host a game, probably not at Hove as we don’t believe the crowds would be big enough and we’ve got a congested fixture schedule already but Arundel would be a great venue.”