Ajmal Shahzad revealed he had a feeling it was going to be “a special day” before sending Sussex to the top of the County Championship.

Shahzad took career-best figures of 5-46 to bowl Worcestershire out for 185 on the final day at Hove to secure a 61-run victory.

It was a remarkable turnaround in fortunes for the winter signing from Nottinghamshire who had been suffering from food poisoning on the first three days of the game.

Shahzad, whose last five-wicket haul came four years ago, said: “I had been feeling pretty rough but when I woke up yesterday morning I had a special feeling it was going to be my day. I felt fresh and strong and I wanted to pay the lads back because I hadn’t featured that much in the game because I was sick.”

Shahzad has taken 12 wickets in his first two games for Sussex to help them secure wins over Hampshire and Worcestershire. The team head to Durham on Sunday without Tymal Mills, who bowled just two overs yesterday due to a back injury.