Chris Adams has come good just at the right time as Sussex challenge for their first Championship title.

Skipper Adams followed up his 107 against first division leaders Surrey a fortnight ago with 140 as the county made 385 on the first day of their crucial contest with third-placed Lancashire at Hove.

Adams batted for two hours 27 minutes for his half-century before accelerating to hit 16 boundaries and five sixes.

He said: "I told the boys after the Surrey game that it was my turn after going for half a season without getting any runs of note to my name.

"They have kept faith in me and now my time has come, fortunately in two big games for us."

Opener Richard Montgomerie made 72 and Mushtaq Ahmed hit a maiden half-century for the county, but the day belonged to Adams.

"Batting was difficult early on and it was hard graft but I took a chance against the spinners and fortunately it came off," he added.

Adams admitted Sussex's total was par on a good pitch with a close boundary on the pavilion side.

"They have let us off the hook a few times and we have done the same," he said. "A few of our lads will be disappointed with the shots they played to get out but we wanted to get 400 or close to it and we have so we're in a good position."