Their success has been based on a concerted team effort, but who are the players who have brought success to Hove?

The signing of Mushtaq proved to be an inspired move

Mushtaq Ahmed

The Pakistan leg-spinner became the first bowler for five years to reach the landmark of 100 Championship wickets after an incredible season.

The 33-year-old, who is hoping for a recall to the Test arena, also recorded five 10-wicket match hauls as he repeatedly tormented opposition batsmen.

Matt Prior

The Johannesburg-born player was a driving force behind Sussex's success with four centuries from number seven in the order.

Prior rotated the keeping duties with Tim Ambrose but it was with the bat that he made the biggest impression.

Murray Goodwin

The former Zimbabwe Test batsman easily surpassed 1,000 runs for the season with some forceful strokeplay.

He recorded a career-best 210 against Essex at Colchester but surpassed that when it really mattered, hitting the boundary in their final home game against Leicestershire which made certain of the title and continuing on to a treble century.

James Kirtley

The England seamer contributed 49 this term before being sidetracked by England duties and then sidelined for the rest of the season with shin splints after the fourth Test against South Africa.

A title triumph was fitting reward for vice-captain Kirtley who contributed 50,75, 63, 65 and 54 wickets in the previous five seasons.

Welshman Cottey proved dependable in the middle order

Tony Cottey

Cottey follows in the footsteps of Surrey's James Ormond, claiming championships with two different counties after his success with Glamorgan in 1997.

Struck centuries in three successive matches mid-season with the highlight being 188 in the innings victory over Warwickshire at Hove.

Robin Martin-Jenkins

The all-rounder was an ever-present in the Sussex ranks and again contributed with both bat and ball.

Made five half-centuries and one hundred where he struck a rapid 121 in the draw against Nottinghamshire, but his bowling was reliable rather than incisive.

Richard Montgomerie

The former Oxford University student could only manage one century - 105 in the win over Nottinghamshire in May - but seven half centuries helped Sussex to a series of big totals.

Montgomerie was also valuable in the field, snapping up 22 catches.

Chris Adams

The skipper found the form that made him an England player when he cracked three tons in two matches.

After making 107 against Surrey, he followed it up with superb knocks of 140 and 190 against rivals Lancashire and was at the crease when the title was won against Leicestershire.

Ambrose has progressed as both batsman and wicket-keeper

Tim Ambrose

The young Australian chipped in with eight half-centuries as well as sharing the keeping duties with Prior.

His most impressive knock - 93 not out at Arundel - steered the home side to a six-wicket win over Essex.

Jason Lewry

The left-arm bowler was instrumental in the six-wicket triumph over Essex in July.

The 32-year-old picked up 5-72 in the first innings before claiming 5-52 in the second as the visitors were dismissed for 274.

Mark Davis

The 31-year-old was originally signed to provide off-spin but his most valuable contribution was a marvellous knock in the crucial seven-wicket win over Middlesex.

Davis hit a career-best 168, sharing in a seventh wicket stand of 195 with Prior, but his bowling was only ever a back-up to Mushtaq.

Kevin Innes

Innes celebrated his maiden first-class hundred against Nottinghamshire in May - and was then promptly substituted before Sussex took to the field.

The 28-year-old had to make way for Kirtley who was surplus to requirements with the Test side and spent much of the season as a squad player.

Billy Taylor

The medium-fast bowler played a small but significant part in the winning of the title.

Taylor took 4-50 against Essex, having snapped up seven wickets in the vital victory over Lancashire the week before.