Sussex skipper Luke Wright has declared himself fit for the new season – after being given an injury scare by his baby daughter.

Wright will lead a strong Sussex side in their three-day match against Leeds/Bradford University at Hove today having missed the two friendlies against Surrey and Hampshire due to a back problem.

The former England international felt a twinge on the flight back from New Zealand last month where he had been staying with family following his stint playing for Melbourne Stars in the Big Bash.

Wright – who took over as captain in all formats from Ed Joyce at the end of last season – has had an injection to help ease the problem and insists he will be ready to face Northamptonshire in the opening Championship match of the season on Sunday.

Wright said: “I was carrying my daughter for ages up and down on the plane as she wouldn’t settle on the flight home so I had a slightly bulging disc in my back. It didn’t settled down as quickly as we hoped but I’ve had an injection in it and I will be fine.

“In a way it it wasn’t a bad thing as it allowed me to have an extended break and gave me the chance to watch everyone playing in the two warm up games and assess where they are. I played a lot of cricket over the winter so it not like I’m lacking in match practice.”

Although Wright has been given the green light to play Sussex still have concerns over the fitness of wicketkeeper Ben Brown.

Brown, pictured above, did not feature in the two-day games against Surrey and Hampshire due to a chipped bone in a finger and Sussex will make a late decision on whether to risk him against Leeds/Bradford today with Craig Cachopa on standby to wear the gloves.

Head coach Mark Davis said: “Ben hurt his finger on the first day of pre-season. He has got a little bit of a crack in it but he is a tough kid so there is a possibility he will play with some painkillers.

“Craig kept in the last game and did well. He is a good keeper so is an option but Ben should be fine for the Northants game and it is just a question of whether he plays tomorrow and risks hurting it further.”

Sussex will also be without Chris Jordan and Ross Taylor following the exploits at the World Twenty20 – Taylor is not due to arrive at Hove until Thursday – while seamer Steve Magoffin will not feature against Leeds/Bradford.

Davis added: “Steve has bowled enough in pre-season and is in good shape so he will sit out but otherwise we will be fielding as strong a team as possible. Obviously CJ and Ross won’t play but six or seven of the side will be the ones who play against Northants.

“I have a team in my mind already for the game on Sunday but there are maybe a couple of places I’m not 100 per cent sure on so this is an opportunity for certain guys to show me they should be in the team.

“It’s very important in terms of our preparation from a batting perspective as you have got three days so if you get in you can get a big score. It will be time in the middle and that is what you need as a batter in pre-season.”

The match starts at 11am and entry is free.