Skipper Ed Joyce ended a family jinx to help put Sussex in a good position in their crucial Championship match against Lancashire at Hove.

Joyce made his sixth Championship century of the season as Sussex reached 341-7 in reply to Lancashire’s first innings total of 320.

It took the Ireland international past 1,000 Championship runs for the season and 15,000 in first class cricket for his career.

The Argus: Ed Joyce clips a four yesterdayEd Joyce clips a four yesterday

But more importantly for the Sussex captain he achieved the feat in front of his dad James and brother Jonny who had come over from Ireland to watch.

Joyce said: “My dad has been over every year for the last 12 or 13 years and I’ve never got a hundred.

"I was actually more nervous as he was here so I’m chuffed to finally get some runs in front of him.

“My oldest brother actually believes that every time he watches me bat I get out so he left the ground for an hour and only came back when I was on 25 as he felt I was in!

“Batters like getting milestones so it was great to reach those two yesterday.

"It’s been my best year by far in terms of hundreds and with the second innings here and another two games hopefully I can get a few more.”