Sussex v Lancashire: Visitors fight back after Ed Joyce century

Joyce passed 15,000 runs in first-class cricket during his innings

Struggling Lancashire fought back against Sussex after Ed Joyce's sixth Championship century of the summer.

Having dismissed the visitors for 320 on day one, Sussex lost Luke Wells to England paceman James Anderson with only the third ball of the day.

But Joyce added 156 with Chris Nash (67) and 90 with Craig Cachopa (50), before finally being caught at point by Steven Croft off Tom Smith for 137.

Michael Yardy was run out for 14 as Sussex closed on 341-7, just 21 ahead.

He was beaten by Usman Khuwaja's direct hit when Chris Jordan called him for a single after veteran seamer Glen Chapple (2-66) had taken the wickets of Luke Wright for 22 and Ben Brown for a duck,

The late wickets revived next-to-bottom Lancashire's hopes of the win they desperately need to boost their survival chances, as both Middlesex and Durham have a game in hand.

Their chances had faded as Joyce passed 1,000 first-class runs for the season during his partnership with Nash, before the latter found Chapple at deep mid-on off Simon Kerrigan.

New Zealander Cachopa then added his fourth half century of the season but was caught at second slip off Anderson (2-58) before Joyce fell after hitting 18 boundaries as four wickets went down for just 14 runs.

Sussex captain Ed Joyce:

"My dad and my elder brother Johnny come over every season to see me play in a couple of games and that's the first time I have made a hundred in front of them, so that was a nice moment.

"Lancashire have got two high quality bowlers, and Jimmy Anderson is probably the best bowler in the world, and we knew the second new ball would be crucial. I got out just before it was due, which was annoying.

"They bowled and caught well but we have a lead and three wickets left and hopefully we can extend that."

BBC Sussex's Adrian Harms:

"Another fascinating day of Championship cricket that finished with a slender lead for Sussex and three wickets remaining.

"Ed Joyce has described this as his best season ever - six Championship hundreds has taken him past 15,000 first-class runs.

"After batting through a tough examination from James Anderson, he emerged unscathed to unveil his full repertoire of strokes as Sussex reached 238-2 at tea.

"However, Lancashire hauled themselves back into the match after the interval, at one stage taking five wickets for 56, as they battle for Division One survival. Advantage Sussex - but only just."

BBC Radio Lancashire's Scott Read:

"Sussex have a lead of 21 with three wickets remaining, but Lancashire have fought themselves back into he game.

"On day one, the Red Rose had to claw their way back with the bat. This time it was with the ball.

"Five wickets in the final session has just pegged the home side back after a fine century from Ed Joyce.

"If Lancashire can wrap the innings up quickly in the morning the Red Rose still have an excellent of winning."