Cricket purists continue to deride the Twenty20 form of the game saying that it does nothing for the players' technique.

But, apart from drawing huge crowds, it is all about holding your nerve and proving you can perform under intense pressure.

Unfortunately, that does not bode well for Surrey, who start their Twenty20 Cup campaign at Lord's on Bank Holiday Monday.

Surrey have had three close finishes in this season's 50-over Friends Provident Trophy, losing out on each occasion.

After destroying Sussex on Tuesday, via Mark Ramprakash's fourth hundred in 17 days and a mesmerising display of leg-spin bowling from Chris Schofield (5 for 32), Surrey appeared to be on course for back- to-back wins for the first time this season.

That was courtesy of Scott Newman's 177 and Stewart Walters posting Surrey's fifth-highest limited-overs partnership.

Set a target of 330, Yorkshire always looked like they would come up short – until Rana Naved and Adil Rashid combined for 74 in less than seven overs to see their side home with two balls to spare.

On paper, at least, the Brown Caps appear to be well equipped for the Twenty20 Cup, which they won in 2003 and came close to retaining the following year.

Newman and Ramprakash are in great touch with the bat. In Grant Elliott, Schofield and Matt Spriegel they have players who are a cut above in field as well as being able to contribute with bat and ball.

With Usman Afzaal, Andre Nel and one of either Jade Dernbach or Stuart Meaker completing the bowling, Surrey look both well-balanced and more than capable of getting runs down the order.

If the pundits are to be believed, Essex, Kent and Middlesex pose the biggest threat to Surrey progressing from the South Division.

But what do the pundits know? Last year, Middlesex, the eventual winners, were quoted as being 25-1 shots for the competition before a ball had been bowled.

With the spearhead to their attack, Tim Murtagh currently sidelined and opening batsman Phil Hughes back in Australia preparing for the Ashes, Middlesex, Surrey's first opponents, will have their work cut out to hold on to their Twenty20 crown.

On Tuesday and Wednesday, the Brown Caps welcome Sussex and Hampshire to the Brit Oval, where the new permanent floodlights will be in use for the first time.

These are two must-win games for Surrey because, in Twenty20 Cup, confidence and momentum are everything.

Sussex's danger man is Yasir Arafat, who has taken more wickets against the Brown Caps in this format than against anyone else.

Hampshire all-rounder Dimitri Mascarenhas plays for the Indian Premier League's Rajasthan Royals, so is up to speed in Twenty20.