There are a few more grey flecks in the familiar bushy beard and that first jog around the Hove outfield last week appeared to be more of an effort than usual.

Time marches on but there is no mistaking the twinkle in his eye when Mushtaq Ahmed starts talking cricket. And the bad news for Sussex's opponents is that the little man's appetite for bamboozling hapless batsmen is far from sated - even with his 36th birthday just a few weeks away.

Back for his fourth season with Sussex, Mushy has put thoughts of retirement or moving into coaching to one side.

He does harbour ambitions of becoming Pakistan coach and for a few worrying weeks this winter Sussex supporters thought that day might come sooner than they had expected.

After assisting Bob Woolmer during Pakistan's series against India and England he turned down a one-year contract to make the job permanent. It wasn't a difficult decision to make.

"Assisting Bob was good fun and one day I would love to coach," he revealed. "It's interesting because you have to sacrifice your own thinking about the game because that might not work for someone else.

"But I still have a passion for playing. It's too early for me to retire. If can stay fit I can keep playing and that's what I want to do."

Mushtaq is contracted to Sussex for another two seasons and he says that a lot will depend on how he feels physically at the end of this summer as to whether he seeks a contract extension.

His workload is sure to be as gruelling as ever. His ankle gave him some gip last season and stuffing his pockets with handwarmers until June doesn't stop him splitting a finger or two. But he has a magnificent record of never missing a Championship match since coming to the county in 2003.

Just as crucially, his appetite for the fray remains undiminished. The end of an outstanding career is a lot closer than the start so it's time to enjoy every day and not worry too much about what the future holds.

He added: "I'm enjoying playing a lot compared to, say, ten years ago. Then my Somerset career was over and I was worried about my international future.

"But my faith is strong and I've come to realise that to earn a good living doing something you love is the best thing - and that applies to any sport. I'm so lucky.

"I always knew I had the talent to keep performing at a high level even at times when I couldn't get in the Pakistan team and I wasn't playing any county cricket.

"I worked hard and stayed patient because I knew that if I carried on doing that then things would turn in my favour."

Turn they certainly did. Mushtaq has been leading wicket-taker in England for each of the last three seasons with an aggregate of 265 Championship scalps - 103 of them in 2003 in Sussex's never-to-be-forgotten first Championship triumph.

This year he will take a special interest in the development of offspinner Ollie Rayner, rated by former coach Peter Moores as Sussex's best young signing for years.

"Ollie has a lot of potential but I hope people don't expect too much from him too soon," said Mushtaq.

"Spinners take five or six years to mature. Personally, I am still learning things now and this is my 20th season in the first-class game.

"But when you get to 25 you have the experience whereas at Ollie's age you are just playing with your talent and seeing how far it can take you. But he is a good prospect and if he wants any help then I will be there for him."

It might be a bit far-fetched to imagine Mushy keeping up with the rest during sprinting sessions but he likes being around a young squad.

"Our team is getting younger and younger but that helps motivate the older players like me. I think 'why shouldn't I be able to field like one of our youngsters or move around the outfield like one of them with a lot of energy?' I'll be trying anyway."

Last season Mushtaq took 80 Championship wickets and lodged any number of excellent performances in one-day cricket but arguably his biggest contribution was recommending Pakistan teammate Rana Naved to the county.

When the pair blossomed in the second half of the season Sussex got on a great roll, winning five out of six before the games ran out.

With Rana away from mid-June with Pakistan has Mushtaq got another ace up his sleeve?

"I like Yasir Arafat, who played for Scotland last season and is a much improved cricketer," he said.

"It depends on what Sussex need but I will always offer my opinions if Robbo and Chris (Adams) want them."

After two decades in the game they'd be mad not to listen.