Prior and Mushtaq call for Sussex board to resign
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Several high-profile former Sussex players including Matt Prior and Mushtaq Ahmed have demanded the club's board step down in the light of financial troubles at Hove.
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Former England wicketkeeper Prior and ex-Pakistan spinner Mushtaq have both signed an open letter calling for the board to resign in full after Sussex admitted 'sustained operating losses' and were placed under financial controls by the ECB.
The club have had a player salary cap imposed until 2028 and been given points deductions in all three domestic competitions for the coming season.
Acting chief executive Mark West, speaking to BBC Radio Sussex earlier this week, admitted that the new financial framework agreed with the ECB could make it difficult for the county to retain players when contracts come up for renewal.
The letter has also been signed by three former Sussex captains and England internationals - Chris Adams, who led the county to three titles between 2003 and 2007, Ian Gould and Alan Wells.
Other signatories include ex-Zimbabwe batter Murray Goodwin, Neil Lenham, Les Lenham, Jason Lewry and Robin Martin-Jenkins, along with several Sussex members and past and present sponsors.
In response, a Sussex statement to BBC Sport acknowledged "the strength of feeling" of the signatories and promised to discuss the issues raised "openly and constructively" at a forthcoming members' forum.
Matt Prior, Mushtaq Ahmed and Murray Goodwin have all called for the Sussex board to stand down [Shutterstock]The letter states: "We make no allegation of improper conduct. However, in governance, responsibility is defined by outcomes.
"The necessity of ECB intervention at this level is, in itself, a failure for which the board bears ultimate responsibility. The continuation of the same board under regulatory supervision is incompatible with restoring confidence.
"For players, this threatens the club's competitive future. For sponsors, it undermines confidence in leadership and governance. For members and supporters, it represents a failure of stewardship.
"In our collective judgment, the current board is now a material barrier to recovery."
Sussex issued its response to the letter after BBC Sport approached the club for comment.
"We're aware of the open letter and the strength of feeling it reflects," they said.
"The club's immediate focus is on engaging directly with members at the forthcoming members' forum, where these issues can be discussed openly and constructively.
"It wouldn't be appropriate to comment further ahead of that meeting."