Solanki and Leatherdale carry Worcestershire's hopes

Sussex's Cricinfo Championship match with Worcestershire is perfectly poised after a day of fluctuating fortunes at Horsham.

The home side were bowled out for 372 in their second innings, which left the visitors to score 327 in four and a half sessions.

By the close they had reached 173-3 from 59 overs and their hopes largely rest with Vikram Solanki and David Leatherdale who have so far put on 71 for the fourth wicket.

Sussex seemed to have taken control when off-spinner Mark Davis had Anurag Singh caught at silly point and Graeme Hick superbly taken by wicket-keeper Matt Prior as he swept with the spin.

Those wickets, in successive overs, reduced Worcestershire to 103-3 but Solanki and Leatherdale batted with increasing assurance in the final session to raise their side's hopes of victory.

Earlier Davis had made 43 not out, his highest score for the county, as Sussex's lower order batsmen chiselled out valuable runs.

Umer Rashid scored 38 as the last four wickets put on 77, Alamgir Sheriyar finishing with 4-83 to give him a match haul of 8-136.

Worcestershire got their victory chase off to a good start with Singh and Phil Weston putting on 66 before Mark Robinson trapped Weston leg before for 21.