Sussex were left frustrated as Miles Hammond moved to his maiden first class half-century as Gloucestershire emerged unscathed from a riveting second morning of the Specsavers County Championship match at Cheltenham.

The home side progressed from an overnight 42 without loss in their first innings to 137 for no wicket at lunch, openers Hammond and Chris Dent having survived a torrid examination by Sussex pacemen Jofra Archer and Ollie Robinson.

Cheltenham-born Hammond was struck on the helmet by a short ball from Robinson when on 27, but kept his composure to reach fifty off 86 balls with 11 fours, many of them struck through the covers.

The 22-year-old was unbeaten on 75 at lunch, with Gloucestershire skipper Dent 47 not out and their team trailing by 149.

Sussex, and Jofra in particular, bowled without any luck, beating the bat on numerous occasions.