Abi Sakande claimed his first Championship wicket today - but Sussex found it tough going with the pink ball.

Cameron Bancroft hit an unbeaten half-century as Gloucestershire made a solid reply to the hosts' 358-9 on the third day of their Specsavers County Championship match at Hove.

Drizzle meant just 11 balls were possible before play got underway again at 5pm following the complete washout on the second day and Bancroft’s only moment of concern came on 31 when he scrambled to make his ground and would have been run out at the non-striker’s end had Jofra Archer’s shy at the stumps been on target.

Bancroft reached his 50 with an on drive for four off Danny Briggs – his seventh boundary – and at the interval he was 59 not out, having added 52 for the second wicket with Will Tavare (25).

Tavare also had a reprieve on 18 when he drove loosely to mid-off but although David Wiese got both hands to the ball at full stretch above his head he could not hold on to the catch.

Sussex’s only wicket was taken by Sakande when Chris Dent, who had put on 68 for the first wicket with Bancroft, failed to control a pull and was caught at deep mid-wicket by Stiaan van Zyl.

At tea, with another 35 overs to be bowled, Gloucestershire were 120-1 from 41 overs.