Tony Cottey has been told to keep dealing in big scores if he wants to earn a new contract at Hove.

The Sussex batsman lit up the opening day of the Championship tussle with Warwickshire by hitting 188, his best score for the county and his first century at Hove for more than four years.

Cottey, 37, comes to the end of a five-year deal this autumn and admits this could be his last season of county cricket.

Sussex coach Peter Moores said: "Tony has been around the game long enough to know performance is king.

"Runs and wickets are the currency of the player, he is aware of that.

"In many ways contracts look after themselves if you get lots of runs. He has been in good nick all year and I'm so pleased he has got this big score.

"The key for Tony at the moment is to enjoy his cricket and that is what he is doing.

"We've seen him play well away and it was great to show the members what a good batsman he is."

Moores heaped praise on the Sussex batsman, who staged an impressive recovery after losing opener Murray Goodwin in the first over of the contest.

Cottey's 276-ball innings, featuring 31 fours, led the way and there were half-centuries for Richard Montgomerie and Tim Ambrose, his fifth of the season.

Moores added: "The ball didn't go past the bat very much after the first ten overs, which is always a good sign. We saw off the new ball and then cashed in."

Cottey was clearly delighted to post a big score at headquarters after threatening to cut loose on several occasions in recent matches.

He said: "I've been getting 50s and I haven't turned any of them into decent scores before now and this sets the season up.

"When I play at any away ground I think of it as the last time I will play there and try to enjoy it that way.

"If this is going to be my last season I want to really enjoy it."

Asked about the chances of a new deal, he said: "It's in my hands but it is not at the stage to be telling Sussex I want to stay.

"I just take every game as it comes and if I have done well at the end of the season, I am sure they will offer me something. The bottom line is it's a great way to earn a living and I don't think anybody in their right mind would turn it down."

Play continues today and tomorrow at the County Ground from 11am.

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