Sean Hunt shines in first session of day 1

After a fantastic opening session for the Sussex attack, Wayne Madsen fought back to finish the day on 171 not-out, taking Derbyshire to 339-5 at stumps.

Sussex had the better of the morning session when they reduced Derbyshire to 83 for four, but Madsen didn’t offer a chance on an easy-paced pitch as he progressed serenely to his 34th first-class century for the county. Only Kim Barnett (53) has scored more.

By the close Madsen was 171 not-out as they closed on 336 for five from 97 overs.

Derbyshire elected to bat first but lost Billy Godleman and Brooke Guest during a lively opening spell by left-armer Sean Hunt. Godleman offered a low catch to slip after Hunt found some late away movement while Guest lost his middle stump off a big inside edge attempting an expansive drive.

Masood was pinned on his crease during an excellent spell down the slope by Steve Finn, who was making his first Championship appearance since the meeting at Derby in April. In his 12th innings Masood did become the quickest Derbyshire batsman to reach 1,000, beating the previous record by Peter Kirsten of 16 in 1980.

Haines was rewarded for his accuracy when he went round the wicket to Leus du Plooy and uprooted his leg stump as the batsman offered no shot.

Sussex’s seven-man attack plugged away but there was little assistance once the ball went soft and it took a misjudgement on Reece’s part to end the stand shortly after he’d reached his fifty, when he top-edged a sweep at Delray Rawlins and lobbed up a simple catch to Carter.

Just before tea Madsen brought up his 40th hundred in all formats for Derbyshire – only Barnett (66) has scored more – and Derbyshire’s 999th first-class century.

Sussex took the new ball immediately it became available, but Madsen’s great knock continued as he was joined in another productive partnership by Anuj Dal, who has contributed 45 to a stand of 136 in 40 overs.