Its really up to you as to how you view next year's Ashes, but Sussex are clearly keeping an eye on profits.

Next June, from June 24-27, the Australians play their first warm-up of the tour against Sussex at Hove, and the local administrators have confirmed that tickets will cost £35 a day. Want to watch all four days? Be ready to fork out £140, with a serious chance that rain will scupper at least a bit of the cricket. A bit steep, you might say, given the current economic situation.

Now compare that to a season's standard membership worth £159, which allows a spectator to watch every game at Hove except Twenty20. Sussex have upped the asking price, so now lets hope, unlike a few times in the past, that they field a strong side to make it worth the dough.

The Ashes start July 8 in Cardiff and conclude August 24 at The Oval.