Nottinghamshire v Sussex: Nash helps visitors dominate

Nash had reached 50 in the Championship five times this summer before his first century

Chris Nash's 178 led Sussex towards a healthy total against Nottinghamshire on day one at Trent Bridge.

Sussex, safe in Division One for another year, elected to bat, and after losing Luke Wells early on, saw Nash reach his first Championship hundred of the season off 152 balls.

Nash shared century stands with Ed Joyce (31) and Craig Cachopa (48) before being lbw by Gary Keedy (3-96).

Seamer Luke Fletcher bowled well to take 3-49, but Sussex closed on 358-9.

The south-coast side lost five wickets in the final session, including Nash and Ben Brown, who made 46 before Samit Patel caught him at the third attempt off Fletcher.

Notts gave a first-class debut to 19-year-old Luke Wood and he enticed Michael Yardy to steer into the hands of Michael Lumb in the gully with his maiden delivery after tea before ending the day by having Steve Magoffin caught behind to finish with figures of 2-76.

And they will be hoping for a better batting performance than against champions Yorkshire last week as they try to pip Warwickshire for second place.

Notts director of cricket Mick Newell:

"We are playing on pitches that are not normal Trent Bridge pitches because with the inclusion of Gary Keedy we want them to spin, so I think we've come out of that reasonably well but day two will tell us how well.

"I thought Luke Wood was terrific. He was running in at half-past five with the same skill and aggression that he showed when he was running in half-past 10.

"It was good that the captain put him on to bowl straight after tea and I'm very pleased he got that first wicket and pleased he chipped in again right at the end."

Sussex cricket manager Mark Robinson:

"I'd have taken that score at the beginning of the day but probably not at 250-2 - we got careless.

"Chris Nash is a good player and I'm delighted for him. He's not had the year he wanted. He had a ruptured appendix that really put him back, but he's just had a 19-day break and has come back really well.

"He was outstanding at Hove last week and has carried that on here."