Sussex fight to keep Adams

Chris Adams celebrates Sussex's county championship triumph this season

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Double winners Sussex have offered captain Chris Adams a new and improved contract in a bid to prevent him joining Yorkshire.

The 36-year-old former England batsman is in talks with officials at Headingley over taking over as captain from Craig White, who stood down at the end of the season.

But Sussex are keen to hold on to the man who has led them to two County Championships in four years, and have offered him a one-year extension to his current deal, keeping him at Hove until the end of the 2008 season.

A Sussex statement read: “Regarding the recent press reports, the club can confirm that for the past month we have been negotiating with Chris on an extension to his current contract.

“We have today made another offer for a year’s extension, taking him to the end of the 2008 season within an enhancement on the terms of his current contract.

“We have also offered him an option to play on further by negotiation.”

Adams has expressed a desire to move into coaching after his playing career is over, but opportunities appear limited at Sussex, who won the championship and C&G Trophy this summer under the guidance of cricket manager Mark Robinson.

“At the moment it is unfortunate that Sussex does not have a vacancy in this area,” the statement continued.

“Chris Adams is a huge part of our club's success in the last few years both on and off the field and he is still contracted to play for us for another season and, we hope, beyond.

“Therefore any speculation on a move to another club is just that.”

Yorkshire chief executive Stewart Regan said: “I can confirm that we are in discussions with Chris in an attempt to bring him to Headingley as captain.

“We are very excited by him as an individual, and he certainly has a magnificent track record, having turned Sussex into one of the leading lights in county cricket.”