Sussex bat themselves into strong position

Sussex are in a strong position going into the final day of their Cricinfo Championship match against Nottinghamshire after establishing a lead of more than 300 at Hove yesterday.

After bowling out Notts for 332 to take a first innings lead of 72, Michael Yardy and Richard Montgomerie both made half-centuries as Sussex closed on 237-5, a lead of 309.

Yardy's 68 was his maiden first-class half-century and the left-hander certainly looked the part, playing some superb off side shots as he shared a second-wicket stand of 128 in 28 overs with Montgomerie.

Yardy was eventually caught behind off Greg Blewett, but Montgomerie went on to make 66 before he became the second of three wickets for South African Greg Smith who was again the pick of the Notts' attack.

Smith had earlier claimed the wicket of Murray Goodwin and in an impressive second spell he also removed Will House for a duck as Sussex lost three middle-order wickets in the space of five overs.

Robin Martin-Jenkins and Umer Rashid re-asserted Sussex supremacy and will be there this morning before the declaration.

Earlier Jason Lewry must have impressed watching chairman of selectors David Graveney by taking 5-95 as the last six Notts wickets fell for 118 in the morning session.

Kevin Pietersen and Read both made half-centuries and six Notts batsmen got past 29. But no one went on to score the big innings which might have made their last-day run chase less challenging.