Tim Linley took five wickets on his Championship debut for Sussex to bowl Durham out on the opening day at Arundel Castle.

The 33-year-old, who joined on a month’s loan from Surrey yesterday, took 5-63 to have the visitors in trouble at 197-7.

Gordon Muchall hit an unbeaten 81 as Durham rallied to make 301 before Chris Rushworth claimed two wickets as Sussex reached 44-2 at the close.

Linley and Somerset spinner George Dockerell were both handed debuts after joining on loan at the weekend while there was a comeback from injury for Ajmal Shahzad.

Shahzad lasted just four overs before leaving the pitch for treatment while Dockerell went wicketless as Linley grabbed the limelight.

The Surrey seamer picked up the wickets of Scott Borthwick, Michael Stoneman and Paul Collingwood in the space of 15 balls in the morning session.

Stoneman had made a brisk 51 when he edged to Ed Joyce at first slip and Collingwood followed two balls later when he padded up to a straight one.

Borthwick had put on 69 with Stoneman for the second wicket following the early departure of Keaton Jennings – bowled by Steve Magoffin – when he was caught at second slip by Mike Yardy.

Micheal Richardson and Gordon Muchall added 83 for the fifth wicket to steady the ship before another clatter of quick wickets after lunch.

Magoffin had Richardson superbly caught by Chris Nash at midwicket for 46 and then Linley removed Ryan Pringle and Paul Coughlin in the space of three balls.

Durham were 197-7 at that stage but not for the first time this season Sussex were unable to finish off the tail quickly.

Muchall moved to his 50 off 115 balls and found good support from John Hastings and Chris Rushworth.

Hastings made 23 before he top edged Luke Wells to Matt Machan at point and Wells also picked up the wickets of Rushworth (39) and Graham Onions (0) to finish with career-best figures of 3-35.

That left Sussex to face 16 overs and Rushworth capped a good day by removing Yardy and Wells.

Yardy was bowled shouldering arms for 20 and Wells got an inside edge on to his stumps having made 13.