Sussex on top in promotion battle with Warwickshire

Sussex emerged from the second day with a lead of 85 and the guarantee that a draw would put them in the First Division next season.

Warwickshire, now struggling to get back into a promotion spot, stubbornly stayed in contention thanks to the efforts of Ian Bell and Vasbert Drakes.

Drakes wrapped up Sussex's first innings for 321 by taking the last two wickets in five balls and then made his first half-century for the county in a recovery to a total of 248.

The West Indian all-rounder's partnership of 85 with Bell cleared a target of 172 to avoid the follow-on and everything else represented unexpected profit after a slump to 101 for 5.

Bell, the England Under-19 captain, continued his development to an Academy place in Australia by reaching 549 runs in 13 Championship innings this season.

The 19-year-old gave one chance on 51 as he hit 12 fours from 175 balls and reached 80 before an edge off Mark Robinson gave Chris Adams his third catch in the slips.

The early damage had been caused by Jason Lewry and James Kirtley, the cutting edge in Sussex's successful campaign with 121 Championship wickets between them.

Though they were unable to sustain the breakthrough, Robin Martin-Jenkins got rid of the stubborn Nick Knight for 17 and came back to whittle through the lower-order for figures of 4-75.

Drakes, who hit nine boundaries, became his fourth victim when caught behind the wicket after making exactly 50 and Melvyn Betts was close to snatching another batting point until caught on the long leg boundary off Kirtley.

Sussex then lost Murray Goodwin, who made 150 in the first innings, while making 12 for 1 in seven overs before the close.