LUKE WELLS has told of his pride at captaining Sussex – and marking the occasion with a century.

Wells, son of former county skipper Alan, made 122 in a total of 346 at the Riverside, to which hosts Durham replied with 8-1 as Keaton Jennings was lbw to Ollie Robinson off the last ball of the day.

Sussex have put Wells in charge in the North East as Ben Brown rests a sore back.

The stand-in skipper said: “It’s a very proud moment for me to be captain 21 years to the day since my dad last captained the club.

“I’m Sussex born and bred and I love playing for the club.

“I’m quite a studious cricketer and I like to think I’m developing as a leader.”

Wells was bold in deciding to bat first.

He said: “The day went well. Wanting to bat first at Durham in September might have raised a few eyebrows and Paul Collingwood was playing a few mind games, asking me if I really wanted to toss.

“I think it has been vindicated although we have said that, if we aspire to be a division one team, we should be looking to score 400-plus.

“It was very pleasing to score a hundred and to finally reach 1,000 for the first time. I knew how many I needed to get there, so it was a special moment.”

Durham coach Jon Lewis admitted Sussex had enjoyed a good day after Wells’ surprise decision at the toss.

He said: “Any time you score 340 on the first day here, it’s a good score.”