Four Sussex fifties on day one against Leicestershire

Four half-centuries from Sussex's batsmen put them in a decent position against Leicestershire at The 1st Central County Ground on the opening day of their Specsavers County Championship second division match.

Sussex had made a positive start after winning the toss. Their new-look opening partnership of Phil Salt and Tom Haines put on 79 for the first wicket at virtually four an over.

After last week's defeat on a difficult pitch at Lord’s third-placed Sussex picked an unchanged side – but pushed regular opener Luke Wells down to No 3.

Salt scored a typically expeditious 44 from 60 balls, with eight fours, before he was well caught and bowled by Ben Mike, low down to his right.  Mike is making his first-class debut and impressed with his action and pace bowling downhill from the Cromwell Road end.  He finished with three for 57. 

Leicestershire, whose own promotion bid had fallen away after defeats by Kent and Gloucestershire, were fielding weakened attack without the injured Gavin Griffiths and Zak Chappell.

Haines reached his fifty when he guided Mohammad Abbas to the third man boundary for his tenth and final four.  On 56 he was caught in the same area as he attempted a square drive.  Sussex were 126 for two in the 37th over.

Wells looked comfortable at number three, including coming down the pitch to drive spinner Callum Parkinson back over his head for a flat six.  But Leicestershire hit back at 140 when Harry Finch was lbw to Raine for four.

Wells reached his fifty from 96 balls, with four fours and a six. But he was fourth out at 188 when he pushed forward to Neil Dexter and was caught behind.

 Luke Wright, with some forceful drives, was his usual busy self at the crease. There were four fours in his pugnacious 27 but then he was bowled attempting to pull a ball that kept low. When David Wiese was well caught in the gully for a second ball duck Sussex were 204 for six Sussex had not made the most of their early advantage.

But then captain Brown and Jordan came together to provide the most resolute batting of the innings. They put on 110 for the seventh wicket. 

Brown made 60 - his seventh score of fifty or more in this year's competition - before he eventually feathered behind off Ben Raine. 

Raine picked up his third wicket of the innings soon after when he had Jofra Archer lbw for one, before Jordan (52 not out) and Ollie Robinson (2 not out) saw Sussex through to the close, which came seven-and-a-half overs early due to bad light.