Duckett, Wakely lead solid reply before rain

Northamptonshire 142 for 2 (Duckett 72) trail Sussex 178 (Nash 75, Azharullah 6-68) by 36 runs
Scorecard

Northamptonshire strengthened their position in the 30 overs that were possible on the second day of the Specsavers County Championship match against Sussex at Arundel.

Captain Alex Wakely batted through the morning session for his unbeaten 46 as Northants reached 142 for 2, just 36 behind Sussex's first-innings 178. Rain set in during the afternoon and got steadily heavier and umpires Ben Debenham and Steve O'Shaughnessy abandoned play for the day at 5.10pm.

Northants lost just one wicket in the action that was possible when Ajmal Shahzad had opener Ben Duckett caught at second slip by Chris Nash for 72, driving at a pitched-up delivery. The left-hander had added 94 for the second wicket with Wakely and took his first-class aggregate to 718 runs with his fifth 50-plus score of the season.

Wakely had a scare on 17 when he edged Steve Magoffin just out of the diving Nash's reach but otherwise batted solidly in difficult light. Wakely was joined by Rob Keogh in an undefeated third-wicket stand of 26 as Northants reached 142 for 2 at lunch when the rain arrived.