Miles Hammond’s maiden century for Gloucestershire put the hosts in a strong position by tea on the second day of the Specsavers County Championship match with Sussex at Cheltenham.

Unbeaten on 27 overnight, the 22-year-old hit 103 off 203 balls, with 20 fours, sharing an opening stand of 182 with Chris Dent, who made 65, as Gloucestershire moved to 22-2 in reply to the Sussex first innings total of 286.

Cheltenham-born Hammond is playing in only his fourth Championship match and his first since 2015. He began his career as a promising off-spinner, but is fast becoming a batsman, who bowls.

Skipper Dent was equally resolute against some excellent pace bowling from Jofra Archer and Ollie Robinson on a day when the Sussex bowlers had little luck.