Jon Lewis and James Tredwell helped rescue Sussex after an alarming batting collapse on the opening day of their County Championship clash against Yorkshire at Arundel.

Tredwell made 45 in his first game since signing on loan from Kent while Lewis is unbeaten on 50 as Sussex recovered from 188-7 at tea to close on 300-9.

It completed an entertaining day which had seen Sussex reach lunch at 104-1 before Yorkshire’s seamers exposed their vulnerable batting line-up in the afternoon session.

Chris Nash was the only wicket to fall before lunch after skipper Ed Joyce had won the toss and elected to bat under overcast skies.

Nash had made 28 when he drove loosely at a ball outside off stump from Steven Patterson and became the first of six catches for wicketkeeper Jonny Bairstow.

Rory Hamilton-Brown played positively alongside the more disciplined Luke Wells to take Sussex to lunch on 104-1.

They would have been happy with that position on a wicket that was difficult to score on but things quickly started to go wrong after lunch.

Hamilton-Brown fell five short of his half century and was immediately followed by Joyce, both players edging Tim Bresnan to Bairstow.

Luke Wright made 21 got a nick droving at Jack Brooks while Matt Machan added just three when he was well caught at point by Rich Pyrah off the bowling of Patterson.

Wells was displaying the patience his team-mates appeared to be lacking as he brought up his half century from 139 balls.

The left-hander lost another partner when Ben Brown was caught behind for six off the bowling of Pyrah.

Wells survived one chance when he was dropped by Brooks on 57 but fell on the stroke of tea when he edged Pyrah through to Bairstow having made 74.

Tredwell added 39 with Steve Magoffin before Magoffin was caught at short mid-wicket off the bowling of fellow Aussie Aaron Finch for 12.

A half century on debut looked on the cards for Tredwell until Bresnan trapped him in front with the new ball.

Jon Lewis and Lewis Hatchett took Sussex past 250 to gain a second batting point before the umpires took them off for bad light.

They returned for another ten overs which gave Lewis time to reach his half century from just 53 balls and earn Sussex a third batting point.