County Championship: Gary Ballance finds form against Sussex

Gary Ballance is hoping to make the England squad for their upcoming Test series against Pakistan in the UAE

England batsman Gary Ballance returned to form with an unbeaten 98 as Division One leaders Yorkshire reached 346-6 on day one against Sussex at Hove.

The visitors lost two early wickets, but Alex Lees batted well for 69, as he added 88 with Andrew Gale (39).

Glenn Maxwell made 43, but Ballance provided the anchor for the innings in over four hours at the crease.

The left-hander hit a six and 11 fours, while Chris Jordan and Ollie Robinson (both 3-67) bowled well for Sussex.

Yorkshire went into the game with a 38-point lead at the top of the table and were able to include Adil Rashid and Liam Plunkett in their side, after they were released from England's Test squad.

Robinson soon accounted for Andrew Hodd, with the help of a slip catch by Jordan, who then accepted a diving chance off his own bowling to send Jack Leaning on his way.

Sussex continued to fight hard and Yorkshire were in trouble on 134-4 after Lees and Gale were dismissed in the space of seven overs.

Having been dropped by England after the second Ashes Test at Lord's, and failing twice against Durham earlier this month, the pressure was on Ballance.

He responded with a resolute display but could not reach his century before the close as Tim Bresnan (44) played out the final over, with their unbroken stand worth 94.