Luke Wright and Ben Brown rewrote the record books to put Sussex firmly on top after the first day of their Championship clash with Durham at Hove.

The pair put on a record sixth wicket partnership against any side as they rescued Sussex from a precarious position of 115-5 to reach the close on 441-5.

Their unbroken stand of 326 surpassed the previous best of 255 by Duleepsinhji and Maurice Tate set against Northamptonshire back in 1930.

It also eclipsed the previous highest sixth wicket partnership by any team against Durham, the previous highest being 284 between Phil Simmonds and Paul Nixon.

Brown also made his highest ever first class score with an unbeaten 152 while Wright will be hoping to beat his previous best of 187 when he resumes on 183 in the morning.

The pair swung the match emphatically in Sussex’s favour after Durham had totally dominated the morning session.

Sussex lost Chris Nash, Luke Wells, Mike Yardy and Ed Joyce cheaply as they reached lunch on 110-4 with Matt Machan falling three balls into the afternoon session.

But Durham’s hopes of making further inroads were hindered by the absence of Graham Onions with a back injury sustained in the morning which prevented him from taking any further part and some woeful fielding.

Brown was dropped twice by wicketkeeper Phil Mustard in the 40s while Wright was put down by Mark Wood on 43 and Michael Richardson on 80.

They made Durham pay as they turned the game on its head with some thrilling strokeplay, punishing anything short and wide.

Wright reached his century off 152 balls with Brown getting there 24 balls quicker, comfortably going past his previous first class best of 112.

Wright's 150 came off 196 balls while Brown reached his maiden 150 just before the close from 189 deliveries.