Alsop to Sussex (on loan) - I did not see that coming. In my opinion, he is the best option we have for number 3 in the Championship side. I know he hasn't got a large volume of runs behind him in that format, but he can play fairly steadily like an opener if we lose an early wicket. I wonder if they'll try Gubbins at number 3 to accommodate Donald in the side, the only other options would be Vince (I like him at number 4 or 5) or young Prest.
Holland
Weatherley
Gubbins
Vince (c)
Donald
Dawson
Brown (wk)
Barker
Abbott
Wheal
Abbas
I reckon that's what they might go with for the first game, not playing the second spinner in Crane due to early season conditions and having Prest as the back-up batsman. Or they could play Prest at number 3, Gubbins at 5 and let Donald find some match sharpness and form in the 2nd XI to start with.
I hope they throw Brown straight in as keeper and don't play McManus. I've got nothing against him in particular, just that playing Brown would simply make it a stronger team.