Sussex set Notts tough target

Sussex are in a commanding position against Nottinghamshire at Hove after Michael Bevan had hit his second hundred of the match. The home county has left the visitors to score 388 tomorrow with all their second-innings wickets in hand.

The Australian left-hander, who is rated the best limited-overs batsman in the world, has shown a similar appetite for the championship. His third championship century in consecutive innings and at 174 was his highest score for Sussex (exceeding his 166 in the first innings).

This summer Bevan has made 1,667 runs in all competitions. He and Richard Montgomerie have scored 558 runs in this match and have enjoyed stands of 292 and 266.

Bevan's difficult chance to Paul Johnson in the covers when he was the 140 was the only chance they gave. Usman Afzaal, an occasional left-arm spinner, dismissed both batsmen. Montgomerie's sweep lobbed the ball up to the wicketkeeper, and Bevan drove the ball to Jason Gallian at extra-cover.

Thereupon Chris Adams declared leaving Nottinhgamshire seven hours to play out which they did in scoring 19. Earlier in the day Nottinghamshire had folded from 240-3 to 265-8 against James Kirtley's quick bowling. Chris Read and Andrew Harris prevented the possibility of the follow-on. Richard Stemp's dismissal at 344 prevented the county from winning a final bonus point. Kirtley completed the innings with 6-90.