This week sees one of the most eagerly awaited fixtures of the county season, a game which could go a long way towards deciding the destiny of the Championship.
Even grizzled Aussie batsman Stuart Law, who has seen enough to adopt a measured approach, calls it "a Grand Final".
In one corner are Lancashire, a team steeped in talent and tradition but without an outright Championship win since 1934.
Law's Lancashire take a one-point lead and, more importantly, the advantage of a game in hand to Hove for the game, starting on Wednesday.
In the other corner are Sussex, who took the title for the first time three seasons ago but have one of the smallest squads in the competition.
It is the start of a tough run-in for the hosts, who face two more top-four teams - Hampshire and Kent - in their last five games.
Sussex were going well before the break for Twenty20 action.
But, with prolific paceman Rana-Naved-ul-Hasan sidelined by a groin injury and leg-spinner Mushtaq Ahmed struggling with a sore neck, things have not gone their way since the resumption.
Kent and Middlesex hung on for draws, while Warwickshire snatched a dramatic 13-run triumph last weekend.
Sussex skipper Chris Adams admits they need an upturn in form soon.
"We've lost ground on Lancashire and need to bounce back after a bad week," the 36-year-old batsman told BBC Sport.
"Naved's absence has been a huge gap in the side because he was awesome for us but his replacement Yasir Arafat has been a wonderful signing.
"We've suffered injuries at crucial times and loss of form to one or two players but with a staff of 18 that was always going to be the hardest thing for us to overcome.
"One or two of the batters need to dig a little deeper and come up with the goods. It happened all the way through our previous Championship-winning season."
TITLE CONTENDERS
Lancs: 157 pts (10 games)
Sussex: 156 pts (11)
Hants: 140 pts (10)
Kent: 127 pts (10)
In his last campaign as captain, Adams has faith in his men to deliver and upset the odds in the closing weeks of the season.
He insists he is proud of their achievements in reaching the C&G Trophy final - where they will also face Lancs - and competing in the Championship despite financial constraints.
"It's important the lads take value of how well they've done in all cricket and steel themselves for an exciting run-in," he added.
"Whatever happens from now on in, this season has been a tremendous effort by the side.
"We don't have the depth, facilities and luxury of the budget Lancashire do - we rely on key performers performing all the time and staying fit.
"I will be asking them to dig deep and search for a performance against Lancashire and if we come up with a result it puts us back on level terms with them."
Determined to stop Adams' men doing that, will be another veteran campaigner in Law.
The 37-year-old has been part of a strong batting line-up which has helped set up six victories out of 10 in the longer form of the game.
But talk of injuries from Lancashire's rivals does not wash with the Australian, who insists his side could have been out of sight by now but for their own absences.
"We've had a lot of England call-ups and injuries," he explained.
"If we had a full-strength team out every week I don't think it would have been much of a contest.
"But we have got depth in the pace bowling and batting. The youngsters who have come in this year have done a really good job.
"And we've got other guys who have been on the fringe for a long time who have finally worked out what it is they need to be doing."
Adams has warned that Kent and Hampshire cannot be discounted but Law is convinced the title will end up with one of the teams on show at Hove.
"The winner of this game will take a lot of joy going into the final stages of the season," he added.
"Sussex and Lancashire have always had a bit of feeling in the game but we've got this one, the Pro40 game and then the C&G final and in a couple of weeks' time we might be sick of each other!
"They have some quality overseas players, are well-drilled and we will have to perform exceptionally.
"We've got players back after lay-offs hitting top form and we're pretty happy with things."
There are two months left in the season, but the picture will be far clearer by the weekend.
Even grizzled Aussie batsman Stuart Law, who has seen enough to adopt a measured approach, calls it "a Grand Final".
In one corner are Lancashire, a team steeped in talent and tradition but without an outright Championship win since 1934.
Law's Lancashire take a one-point lead and, more importantly, the advantage of a game in hand to Hove for the game, starting on Wednesday.
In the other corner are Sussex, who took the title for the first time three seasons ago but have one of the smallest squads in the competition.
It is the start of a tough run-in for the hosts, who face two more top-four teams - Hampshire and Kent - in their last five games.
Sussex were going well before the break for Twenty20 action.
But, with prolific paceman Rana-Naved-ul-Hasan sidelined by a groin injury and leg-spinner Mushtaq Ahmed struggling with a sore neck, things have not gone their way since the resumption.
Kent and Middlesex hung on for draws, while Warwickshire snatched a dramatic 13-run triumph last weekend.
Sussex skipper Chris Adams admits they need an upturn in form soon.
"We've lost ground on Lancashire and need to bounce back after a bad week," the 36-year-old batsman told BBC Sport.
"Naved's absence has been a huge gap in the side because he was awesome for us but his replacement Yasir Arafat has been a wonderful signing.
"We've suffered injuries at crucial times and loss of form to one or two players but with a staff of 18 that was always going to be the hardest thing for us to overcome.
"One or two of the batters need to dig a little deeper and come up with the goods. It happened all the way through our previous Championship-winning season."
TITLE CONTENDERS
Lancs: 157 pts (10 games)
Sussex: 156 pts (11)
Hants: 140 pts (10)
Kent: 127 pts (10)
In his last campaign as captain, Adams has faith in his men to deliver and upset the odds in the closing weeks of the season.
He insists he is proud of their achievements in reaching the C&G Trophy final - where they will also face Lancs - and competing in the Championship despite financial constraints.
"It's important the lads take value of how well they've done in all cricket and steel themselves for an exciting run-in," he added.
"Whatever happens from now on in, this season has been a tremendous effort by the side.
"We don't have the depth, facilities and luxury of the budget Lancashire do - we rely on key performers performing all the time and staying fit.
"I will be asking them to dig deep and search for a performance against Lancashire and if we come up with a result it puts us back on level terms with them."
Determined to stop Adams' men doing that, will be another veteran campaigner in Law.
The 37-year-old has been part of a strong batting line-up which has helped set up six victories out of 10 in the longer form of the game.
But talk of injuries from Lancashire's rivals does not wash with the Australian, who insists his side could have been out of sight by now but for their own absences.
"We've had a lot of England call-ups and injuries," he explained.
"If we had a full-strength team out every week I don't think it would have been much of a contest.
"But we have got depth in the pace bowling and batting. The youngsters who have come in this year have done a really good job.
"And we've got other guys who have been on the fringe for a long time who have finally worked out what it is they need to be doing."
Adams has warned that Kent and Hampshire cannot be discounted but Law is convinced the title will end up with one of the teams on show at Hove.
"The winner of this game will take a lot of joy going into the final stages of the season," he added.
"Sussex and Lancashire have always had a bit of feeling in the game but we've got this one, the Pro40 game and then the C&G final and in a couple of weeks' time we might be sick of each other!
"They have some quality overseas players, are well-drilled and we will have to perform exceptionally.
"We've got players back after lay-offs hitting top form and we're pretty happy with things."
There are two months left in the season, but the picture will be far clearer by the weekend.
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