Luke Wright opened his Championship season with a half century in Sussex’s hour of need today.

The county’s new T20 captain initially went on the attack, then dug in as his county hit problems on the opening afternoon of their tussle with newly-promoted Hampshire at the Ageas Bowl.

He was 52 not out and Ben Brown had reached 38 as Sussex reached tea on 192-5 having elected to bat first.

Wright went to the middle at 92-4 after Ed Joyce, who had looked well set, was caught at slip rather out of the blue for 42.

The skipper was as startled as anyone else in the ground after a delivery from spinner Danny Briggs popped up in front of him and he could only help a simple catch to Sean Ervine.

Wright’s first 26 runs came off just 20 balls but he was more conservative after Craig Cachopa had been caught at gully.

Cachopa reached 41 before being picked up by Wilf Smith off the bowling of Chris Wood.

Hampshire were on top at that stage but the afternoon session ended with honours arguably just about even.

Wright’s 50 came off 69 balls and included eight fours.