Luke Wright narrowly missed out on a first-day century for Sussex today.

But his innings of 96 helped revive his county on the opening afternoon of their Championship tussle with promoted Hampshire at the Ageas Bowl.

Wright put on 146 for the sixth wicket with Ben Brown as the county closed on a healthy 300-6 having opted to bat first.

Brown, who batted sensibly, will resume tomorrow undefeated on 85.

Sussex were struggling at 22-3 early on and then 128-5 in the afternoon session.

Wright and Brown, who shared a club record sixth-wicket stand of 335 almost a year ago, calmly changed the momentum of the day’s play.

A century beckoned when Wright looked to drive outside off stump and was picked up by Liam Dawson at second slip off the bowling of James Tomlinson.

He faced 144 balls and hit 13 fours on a green wicket.

Close-season signing Ajmal Shahzad, coming in at No.8, was 12 not out at the close.

Ed Joyce made 42 and Craig Cachopa 41 earlier in the day after Gareth Berg took two wickets with his first seven balls for Hampshire.