Skipper Ed Joyce admits Sussex were “blown away” as they crashed to an emphatic defeat against Somerset at Hove.

Sussex were dismissed for 219 in their second innings before lunch on the final day after following-on to lose by an innings and 11 runs.

It brought their flying start to the season to a grinding halt having won their opening two games against Middlesex and Warwickshire.

Joyce, who top scored with 93 in the second innings, said: “We have blown two teams away this season and we were blown away ourselves in this match which I think shows the nature of this division.

“When a team gets on top they tend to keep their foot on your throat and fair play to Somerset they did that.

“It is a quality division. You are going to lose games, that’s just the way it is. We would have taken two wins out of three at the start of the season so there is no need to panic.

“Obviously you don’t want to lose, especially in the manner we did, but that’s life.”