Laurie Evans says the pressure is off Sussex as he bids for a family celebration on Finals Day.

Sharks’ leading batsman in the Vitality Blast is heading back to a ground where was he man of the match when Birmingham Bears were unlikely winners of the competition on home turf in 2014.

That success sparked partying long into the night for players, their families and the supporters and Evans says the occasion at a ground renowned for its atmosphere will be one to savour.

He said: “It’s going to be a great day – and even better if we are there at the end. It’s a great place to play cricket.

“They do the finals day very well there.

“The crowd are brilliant. The Hollies Stand, with the fancy dress that goes on there, is fantastic and we are desperate to enjoy it as much as possible and give a good account of ourselves.

“It’s so special for a lot of people, including families and friends, as well as all the guys who work behind the scenes here at Sussex.”

Although the four clubs in the finals have only been given 500 tickets each for their supporters, Evans will have no shortage of backing in the stands.

He revealed: “I think I probably have the most tickets out of everyone at Sussex.

“I have about 15 and did have 25 at one stage but fortunately a few have dropped out as my brother is having a house party instead of buying a load of tickets.

“It’s lovely and everyone is in the same boat – they will all have people there supporting them too.”

The recent Test between England and India highlighted the raucous backing a home team can get at Edgbaston but the nature of Finals Day means the hostile atmosphere away teams would have to cope with is not such a factor.

Evans said: “It’s pretty disappointing the amount of tickets the Sussex fans get.

“It’s not going to be as good as say a Lord’s final when you get 10,000 of each side and that real rivalry between each set of fans and it’s a great day.

“Finals day is sort a celebration rather than a team against team. Obviously on the field that’s different and, hopefully, people will pick sides on the day and support one side over another.

“I am sure that will happen.”

And he can see parallels between Bears’ T20 2014 success and the route Sussex have taken to reach the showpiece.

Evans said: “The nature of our team is we have some young, exciting players and hopefully they will go out there and relish the opportunity.

“The first year I went and won it, we didn’t really expect to qualify for it, so we were all just happy to be there.

“That sort of took the pressure off naturally and I think it is probably the same this time around.

“Half of our team are very experienced T20 players and half are not, so it is an exciting place moving forward to be in this position.

“The young players have really stepped up at times when we have needed them to. There have been a couple of special performances along the way, which has been great.

“Salty (Phil Salt) and Delray (Rawlins) have come in and played brilliantly, while Jofra is obviously still a young cricketer. Danny Briggs has been exceptional, and Will Beer came in when Rashid (Khan) wasn’t here and is just an amazing character to be able to do that.

“The last time Will Beer was there I think he won it, so that is a good sign.”