The puzzling dismissal of Matthew Walker set up Sussex for a productive morning when the Championship match with Kent resumed at Hove today.

There was nothing unusual about the way James Kirtley found the edge of Walker's bat in the 38th over to give Richard Montgomerie a comfortable catch at slip as the batsman fenced outside off stump.

But two balls earlier, Walker had pushed the ball into the off side and set off for a single. Kevin Innes hit the stumps with a direct hit from the covers, but the ball deflected off the stumps and went for four overthrows. Umpire John Hampshire signalled five runs so Walker's partner Greg Blewett should have been facing the next delivery.

Walker's dismissal ended a fourth wicket stand of 76 in 25 overs and he was soon joined in the pavilion by Blewett.

The Australian had looked good today, hitting successive deliveries from Jason Lewry through square for four as he played with increasing confidence.

But he fell in similar circumstances to Walker, pushing outside off stump in Kirtley's next over to give Matt Prior his second catch of the innings behind the stumps and reward the Sussex captain for an excellent spell today.

Lewry then struck in the next over as Kent were reduced to 119-6, knocking back the off stump as Geraint Jones played down the wrong line.

Mark Ealham and James Tredwell steadied things, Tredwell driving Mushtaq Ahmed for six, the ball disappearing into the gardens next to the scoreboard.

Lunch: Kent 163 for 7 (Sussex 279 all out)