Australia 'A' seize initiative at end of truncated first day

Late bursts from James Pattinson and Michael Neser seized the initiative for Australia 'A' on the first day of their first-class match against Sussex at Arundel Castle.

Sussex won the toss and batted after persistent drizzle prevented play from starting until just after 3.30pm. The home side made a positive start with Phil Salt (37) and Varun Chopra (30) putting on an opening stand of 69 inside 14 overs.

After the pair departed to Jackson Bird and Pattinson in consecutive overs, Luke Wells and Laurie Evans then combined to take Sussex to 112 for 2 with six overs of the day remaining. 

What had looked like being a solid start to the match was rocked, however, with three wickets falling for just six runs.

First, Neser nipped one past Evans' outside edge and knocked back his off stump. Three overs later and Pattinson - with 70 wickets in 17 Test matches behind him - beat Wells between bat and pad with the same end result.

Sussex debutant, Aneesh Kapil then fended a rising Pattinson delivery to Marcus Harry in the gully, leaving Delray Rawlins and nightwatchman to see their side through to the close on 118 for 5.

A full scorecard and match statistics can be found on the Sussex Cricket Match Centre.