CLOSE OF PLAY: Durham 318-7 (96) Plunkett finished on 65 and Calum Thorp is 8 not out. That late success will have lifted Sussex's confidence. They bowled well I thought but conditions for batting did get easier and dropping Benkers when he's only made 19 proved costly. Very costly. Back tomorrow with further updates.

WICKET: Durham 310-7 (94) Just what Sussex needed as Benkenstein wearily pulls a short ball from Damien Wright to deep mid wicket where Chris Nash takes a comfortable catch. Benkenstein's 136 came off 230 balls with 18 fours and a six and was made in 4hrs 43mins. Plunkett is 57 not out.

Durham 264-6 (81) Benkenstein gets his second successive Championship hundred, made off 183 balls with 13 fours. Remember he was dropped on 19. Stand of 101 in 36 overs with Plunkett, who is 43. New ball has just been taken by Collymore.

Durham 207-6 (69) Benkenstein onto 79 with a boundary down to fine leg which should have been stopped by Collymore, who dived all over the ball. He's onto 80 and Plunkett, who hit a majestic back-foot drive for four off Wright a few minutes ago , is onto 22.

Durham 186-6 (64.2) Back after tea with Luke Wright bowling from the sea end. Prior has just got out at Lord's, failing to control a back foot drive off Edwards and giving cover catching practice. Benkenstein 71, Plunkers 9.

Tea: Durham 185-6 (64) Benkenstein 70, Plunkett 9. Prior is 42 not out at tea in the Test.

Durham 184-6 (63) Spin at both ends with two more overs before tea. Rayner from the Cromwell Road end and Hamilton-Brown bowling his off breaks up the slope. Benkenstein 69, Plunkett 9.

WICKET: Durham 162-6. Typical. Go behind the arm for 30 minutes to see what's happening and not much did. Now, back in the press box, Mustard has just fallen lbw in the fourth over of a new spell from RMJ for 32. On the walk, similar to Smith's dismissal by RMJ. Maybe that should be on the march as it's the Colonel. Benkenstein is 56 not out and has Liam Plunkett with him now. England 161-4 in the Test. Prior going well on 24.

WICKET: Durham 104-5 (36) Collymore's in the game now as he traps Blackwell leg before for 2. The batsman was neither forward or back and although I have heard louder appeals than that one, umpire Nigel Cowley seemed convinced. Benkenstein is 36 and has been joined by the Colonel - Phil Mustard.

WICKET: Durham 101-4 (34.1) Good day for Hodd who has just taken a superb catch diving in front of slip to get rid of Muchall for 24 after he was squared up by Luke Wright. Ian Blackwell is the new batsman and Benkenstein is 36.

durham 95-3 (32) First over of the afternoon bowled by Collymore, who looks a lot happier down the slope. Luke W continuing from the sea end with Benkenstein on 31 and Muchall 23.

LUNCH: Durham 84-3 (31) Benkenstein 27, Muchall 16. Good session for Sussex but it could have been better had Rayner clung on to that chance at second slip. Back in 40 minutes.

Durham 78-3 (26.5) Benkenstein dropped on 19. Thick edge to the right of Rayner at second slip which has gone to ground. Straightforward really and to add to RMJ's displeasure the former Durham captitano belted his next ball through the covers for four jocks. He has now been replaced by Luke Wright while Rayner is about to bowl his second over from the Cromwell Road end to a slip and short leg. Benkenstein 23, Muchall 14.

WICKET: Durham 41-3 (17.3) Breakthrough as Damien Wright gets the big wicket of Di Venuto whose leg-side glance is well taken low down by the diving Andy Hodd. Di Venuto walked, which was good to see. He made 20. Muchall and Dale Benkenstein both on 0 at the wicket now.

WICKET: Durham 37-2 (15) RMJ gets a wicket in his second over with Smith leg before on the walk. No debate there and John Holder had his finger up straight away. Gone for 12. Di Venuto is 16 and the new batsman is Gordon Muchall.

Durham 34-1 (12) First bowling change sees Robin Martin-Jenkins replace Collymore at the sea end. DiVenuto is 15 and Smith 12.

Durham 21-1 (9) Good start by Sussex's new-ball pair. Wright bowling quickly down the slope and willing to pitch the ball up to let it swing. In the first Test, Strauss has been caught behind off Jerome Taylor for 16. England 28-1.

WICKET: Durham 10-1 (3.1) Success for Damien Wright in his second over as Mark Stoneman is bowled pushing forward. Suggestion of an inside edge from here high above square leg but just the start Sussex needed. Wright bowling to three slips - Joyce, Rayner and HB, with Luke Wright at gully. Di Venuto is 8* and the new batsman is Durham captain Will Smith.

Durham won toss and bat. Teams - Sussex: Yardy, Nash, Joyce, Goodwin, L.Wright, Hodd, Hamilton-Brown, Martin-Jenkins, Rayner, D.Wright, Collymore.

Durham: Stoneman, Di Venuto, Smith, Muchall, Benkenstein, Blackwell, Claydon, Mustard, Plunkett, Thorp, Harmison.

Good morning and welcome to Hove for our online coverage of Sussex's Championship match against reigning champions Durham.

No problems weather-wise here. It's sunny and quite warm and the teams are going through their practice routines out in the middle as we speak.

Teams and toss to follow but the official scorecard has Ollie Rayner in for Ragheb Aga as Sussex's only change. Luke Wright is available again after England Lions duty and down to bat at No.5.

Durham may include two spinners - Ian Blackwell and Gareth Breese.

Toss due to take place at 10.30am so we'll have more details then.