County Championship: Tom Clark's 82 not out helps Sussex make promising start against Notts

Tom Clark ended the day with 82 not out for Sussex

Tom Clark, Tom Haines and Ali Orr all recorded half-centuries as a youthful Sussex side made a promising start against Nottinghamshire in their County Championship Division Two opener at a blustery Hove.

Opening pair Haines (59) and Orr (68) began impressively after Sussex were sent in, putting on 110 in 36 overs before left-arm spinner Liam Patterson-White led a fightback for the second division promotion favourites.

Patterson-White bowled unchanged until the second new ball was taken after coming on in the 22nd over, sending down 30 overs.

He was brought back into the attack to bowl four more overs before stumps to finish with three for 69, but by then Clark (82 not out) and Delray Rawlins (49) had seized back the initiative on a fluctuating day.

The pair added 87 in 21 overs for the sixth wicket to help take Sussex to 302-6 at stumps.

On a day where there was little in the pitch for seamers, Patterson-White's spin success was crucial to Notts avoiding a miserable day in the field, having put Sussex in to bat.

Sussex captain Tom Haines:

"We would have bowled because there was a bit of dampness around. We worked hard in the first session to get through the new ball and overall it was a good day for us.

"The wicket did a little bit but Ali Orr, who loves getting into the battle, and myself set up the day nicely for guys like Tom Clark and Delray Rawlins to come in and give us a good platform.

"Liam Patterson-White bowled extremely well for them and controlled one end, which was impressive in that wind. Personally, it was nice to get a start, but I was disappointed with the way I got myself out."

Nottinghamshire spinner Liam Patterson-White:

"I didn't expect to be bowling 34 overs on the first day of the season I must admit. It felt a bit unnatural for a spinner.

"The ball that got Tom Haines out did spin which was important because he's a big player for them, but not too many balls turned so it was a case of holding an end.

"We got a wicket at the end of the day and feel we're slightly on top but Sussex batted pretty well."

Match report supplied by PA Media.