Brian Lara needs his side to get their act together when the West Indies meet Sussex at Hove on Saturday.

The record-breaking left-hander has already got a hundred under his belt on the tour, but he was left stunned by defeat against Ireland's part-timers in Belfast yesterday.

Dwayne Bravo's 65-ball hundred appeared to have set up a second win in successive days as West Indies set their hosts 293 to win.

But Ireland had 19 balls to spare when they reached their target with three wickets in hand.

It was hardly the preparation Lara and his side need with the their opening NatWest Series match against New Zealand eight days away.

After the day-nighter at the County Ground (2.30pm), the tourists have just two more warm-up games next week against Kent and Middlesex so he needs his players to find some form soon.

Chris Gayle, Shiv Chanderpaul and Devon Smith made just 31 between them in the opener on Wednesday before Lara came to the rescue with 106 including a six which struck the son of one of the Irish bowlers, Gordon Cooke, on the head.

Having just completed back-to-back Test series against England and Bangladesh, it was no surprise that some of the tourists looked leg-weary, but Lara refused to use that as an excuse.

He said: "We looked tired against Ireland and the top three and lower order both need to show more. It was only really the middle order who contributed with the bat.

"I'm not too happy with our overall performance and we have to step up a level because we will be playing better teams when we get to England.

"However, on a personal note, it was nice to score a hundred and I felt I acclimatised quite quickly after a tricky start.

"Dwane's century yesterday was the only positive for us but we won't be dwelling on this and we are looking forward to a good tour."

Lara is likely to field his strongest team tomorrow which means fast bowler Tino Best, who didn't play in either match against Ireland, will be unleashed on Sussex.

Lara is making his first visit to Hove since 1995 when West Indies suffered their heaviest defeat by a county team, losing by an innings in a three-day game.

Keith Newell and Neil Lenham made hundreds for Sussex before Jason Lewry's four wickets helped dismiss Richie Richardson's team for 139 in their second innings after they had followed on.

Sussex won't need much motivation either as they look to build on back-to-back wins over Somerset, in the totesport League, and then Lancashire, their first Championship victory since they won the title.

Coach Mark Robinson said: "We seem to have tried for most of the season just to get one win, but now we've won two in a row and we want to continue that momentum.

"Our dressing room is really buzzing and the players are all massively excited about tomorrow's game.

"It's their first match in England, it's under lights and it's on a day when in the past there has been a lot more atmosphere.

"New Zealand have lost to a couple of counties so there's no reason why we can't beat a touring team as well."

Sussex have no special plans to try and cope with Lara who regained his world record for the highest Test score when he made 400 against England in Antigua in April. "To be honest, no one has really spoken about him," said Robinson. "But obviously he's a special talent and a prized wicket for whoever gets him."

Sussex have added Mushtaq Ahmed and Jason Lewry, the only survivor in the squad from the team which won nine years ago, and will play their strongest possible side, although Mushtaq's participation depends on his recovery from the thigh strain which has troubled him for the last two weeks.

Sussex are expecting their biggest crowd of the season so far and although admission is available on the day, the advice is to get there early.