Delray Rawlins and Kamau Leverock could play against each other today when Sussex host Cardiff MCCU in a three-day contest, their final friendly match ahead of the new Specsavers County Championship season.

Rawlins has been involved in Sussex’s preseason games but admitted last night he did not know if he would be selected to play against his friend and fellow Bermudian at the 1st Central County Ground. He has been named in a 13-man squad.

“Yeah hopefully I get selected for tomorrow’s game, which would allow me to hopefully push my case to be selected for the first championship squad against Kent,” Rawlins said late yesterday.

“I’m looking forward to playing against Kamau as he’s a very good mate of mine. We speak regularly, to be honest, so this occasion hasn’t just started the communication between us.

“I’m looking forward to the battle and I have no doubts he will showcase the talent that he has as well. Things are looking pretty good for myself, I’m just trying to work hard to improve everyday.”

The two all-rounders missed the chance to play in the same ICC Americas team in the West Indies Cricket Regional Super 50 Tournament in late January after Rawlins opted out in order to represent the England Under-19s in India at the same time. Rawlins’s performances in India boosted his chances of being involved with the Sussex first team and recently signed a contract extension. “I’ve had a good winter and this is a reward of going to India and doing well,” he said last week.

Sussex have already hosted Surrey, Somerset and Hampshire in Hove for both one-day and three-day warm-up matches. Today’s match is also a non-first-class match with Cardiff MCCU having already played two first-class matches in the preseason.

Sussex have been boosted in their preseason preparations with the arrival of South African Kolpak signings Stiaan van Zyl and David Wiese, who joined up with the Sussex camp this week. Both players are fresh from the South African domestic campaign and will have their first chance today to gain match practice on English soil.

Matt Machan and Luke Wells are both ruled out with wrist and knee injuries respectively, while Ollie Robinson also misses out with a shin problem.

Michael Burgess continues to deputise as wicketkeeper for Ben Brown who suffered a mild concussion in the match with Surrey, though he is expected to return for next Friday’s county opener against Kent.