Sussex cricket manager Mark Robinson today defended his side's behaviour during Friday's stormy C&G Trophy win over Hampshire declaring: "I was proud of them."

Hampshire captain Shane Warne is threatening to report the county after a spectator allegedly spat at Dominic Thornely on the boundary edge towards the end of Sussex's six-wicket win which secured their first appearance in a Lord's final for 13 years.

Warne also questioned James Kirtley's bowling action after he took three wickets in an over - including Warne's - on his way to season's best figures of 5-43.

"It was definitely hard when Kirtley was, um, bowling those yorkers," Warne said, pausing very deliberately.

"His action has been cleared, apparently, but I think they have to have a look at the process. We saw him in a second XI game earlier this season and his action (on Friday) was completely different."

Ironically, one of the umpires was Barry Dudleston who reported Kirtley for a suspect action last season which was subsequently successfully re-modelled.

Robinson is anxious not to get involved in another slanging match with Warne and Hampshire following several controversial incidents when the sides have met in recent years.

He said: "I was proud with the way my team conducted themselves throughout the match. They were a credit to themselves and the club. They played within the spirit of the game.

"I'm aware of what Warne said about James and what John Crawley said about Mushtaq Ahmed last week. I'm also aware that certain things went on in the middle on Friday and I have spoken to the ECB about them.

"Shane Warne can lead his team how he likes, I can only look after my side but two strong umpires were there and they did a fine job."

Thornely says he will be writing to the county to apologise for his actions after he hurled his cap into a sponsor's marquee after he had dropped a catch at the end of Sussex's innings.

Television cameras showed Thornely's angry response but they missed the alleged provocation.

He said: "I reacted the wrong way. I will be writing to Sussex to apologise. I apologised to the umpires, the batsmen and my team, but I will not apologise to the spectator."