Sussex Sharks have lost their captain Ross Taylor, who has had to return home to New Zealand due to family reasons.
Taylor had led the team in all 13 of their games in the NatWest T20 Blast this season, securing four wins and fourth place in the South Group points table. If they slip any lower they will lose out on the race to the quarter-finals.
Wicketkeeper Ben Brown, who captains the Championship side, will take the reins for their one remaining game in the group stage, against Essex at Hove on Friday night.
"It's a blow to us to lose Ross," Sussex head coach Mark Davis said. "However, that gives somebody else an opportunity to represent the club in a very important game on Friday night. We wish Ross and his family all the best"
Taylor, who had been in Hove in 2016 as well, has not been in the best form this season though with only 177 runs from 12 innings at an average of 19 and a strike-rate of 112.
A press release from the club said, "a decision has not yet been taken on whether Ross will return should the side qualify for next week's Blast quarter-finals".