Sussex face a battle to avoid the follow-on after Durham exposed their vulnerable batting on the second morning at Arundel.

Chris Rushworth struck three times to pass 50 wickets for the season as Sussex slumped from 44-2 overnight to 135-8 at lunch in reply to Durham’s first innings total of 301.

Rushworth removed Luke Wright, Chris Nash and Ajmal Shahzad to go with the wickets of Mike Yardy and Luke Wells yesterday for figures of 5-43 so far.

Sussex still need another 17 runs to avoid the follow-on although it is unlikely that Durham would enforce it.

Matt Machan was the first wicket to fall when he was superbly caught by Keaton Jennings at midwicket off the bowling of Graham Onions for 21.

Luke Wright made just five before he was caught behind to give Rushworth his 50th Championship wicket of the season.

Ben Brown was next to go for 15 as Paul Coughlin found his edge having made 15 and skipper Ed Joyce then cut John Hastings to the fielder at gully for 23.

Chris Nash – who came in down the order at No.7 due to feeling unwell – lasted until just before lunch when he was bowled by Rushworth for 16.

Ajmal Shahzad came out to bat despite aggravating a pectoral injury yesterday and made 15 before he was bowled by Rushworth on the stroke of lunch.