When Bas Zuiderent is old enough to be pottering around in the garden pruning tulips he will look back on the last 72 hours as the blooming of his career as a county cricketer.

The former University of Amsterdam student had never come close to a hundred for Sussex prior to Monday's Benson and Hedges Cup match against Hampshire.

Under dreary skies at Hove yesterday there was double delight for the young Dutch batsman.

Zuiderent followed up his Bank Holiday ton with a maiden First Class century against Nottinghamshire.

It was quite a way for the 24-year-old prospect to mark his home debut in the Championship after scores of 0 and 6 on his only previous appearance, in the rain-ravaged opener at Worcester.

Zuiderent was a 19-year-old unknown when he hit a half century for Holland in their World Cup debut against England.

Worcestershire wanted to sign him when he fell one short of a century against them for his country in the NatWest Trophy a year later.

Zuiderent has taken a little time to flower since opting for Sussex.

But on yesterday's evidence he could have a bucketful of runs under his belt before he teams up again with the Dutch national team next month for their ICC Trophy qualifying campaign in Canada.

The circumstances in which it was achieved made his effort all the more encouraging.

Zuiderent arrived at the crease with Sussex in early trouble at 15-2 after openers Richard Montgomerie and Murray Goodwin had perished to Greg Smith in the South African's first two overs.

Stand-in skipper James Kirtley must have been questioning the wisdom of his decision to bat at that stage, especially in the continuing absence through injury of the experienced Chris Adams and Tony Cottey.

The next six in the order were all aged 25 or under, but Sussex's young guns responded admirably to the crisis.

Notts must be cursing Zuiderent. In the corresponding fixture last season Montgomerie accumulated a total of 228 runs and Michael Bevan bagged a couple of centuries.

The visitors must have thought they were on to a good thing when the last ball of Smith's first over breached Montgomerie's defence and the strapping left-armer then trapped Bevan's previously prolific overseas replacement Goodwin with late inswing.

Zuiderent had other ideas. He rode his luck and with sterling support from Michael Yardy, Will House, Umer Rashid and Robin Martin-Jenkins turned the day in Sussex's favour.

Zuiderent took the advice of Adams by becoming Bas the builder. The absent captain said he needed to learn to build an innings and this knock will surely rid him of a hit or miss reputation.

A series of spurned chances will nevertheless be gnawing away at Notts. Zuiderent was dropped three times and almost run out with his five-hour stay in its infancy.

He was on 14 when Usman Afzaal spilled him at second slip off Paul Franks.

Zuiderent had made ten more when a throw by Notts' other South African import Kevin Pietersen missed the stumps by a whisker.

Another ten runs and Zuiderent was dropped by Paul Johnson at point off Smith in the last over before lunch.

His final life came once he had reached three figures, with Afzaal the culprit again at backward point and Franks the unfortunate bowler once more.

Zuiderent's 230-ball ton contained a number of exuberant strokes including a straight four, one of 13, and a six in successive deliveries off Pietersen.

He was not the only batsman to display a maturity beyond his years.

Yardy (36) shared a reviving third wicket stand of 92 before Smith extracted extra lift with the penultimate ball of the morning session.

Yardy and House hit Championship-bests. The latter looked very much at home in a partnership of 106 with Zuiderent until nicking Afzaal to the keeper just four short of an accomplished half century.

Rashid was run out risking a single to mid-on, with Zuiderent unmoved at the non-striker's end.

Robin Martin-Jenkins maintained the momentum and Sussex were healthily placed when bad light ended play two overs early.

Zuiderent said: "I feel a little bit drained, but I am ecstatic. Things are going my way at the moment and I am thoroughly enjoying it.

"Once the two openers had gone others had to take responsibility. Michael Yardy played really well and so did Will.

"It was such a shame he got out, because we were right on top then.

"Before the start we said somebody will have to bat for a day and a half and I have taken on that task.

"I had a bit of luck on the way but so be it. It's up to them to take their catches.

"I'm thrilled to be on 122 at the moment, but I'm not going to stop there."

Adams, meanwhile, has pencilled in the National League clash with Essex at Chelmsford on Sunday week for his comeback from a broken thumb sustained in the Championship match at Worcester.

Stephen Ades struck a battling 57 as Sussex 2nd XI were dismissed for a disappointing 215 by Yorkshire in their clash at Stamford Bridge.

The hosts, 117 ahead on first innings, went into today's final day with a commanding lead of 260, having reached 143-2.

Off spinner Ades shared in a eighth-wicket stand of 89 with Carl Hopkinson (42) as Sussex, who resumed on 19-2, struggled to make headway.

Spinner James Middlebrook claimed 4-56 to help peg Sussex back, and Yorkshire openers Victor Craven (69) and Chris Taylor (46) then put on 115 to press home their side's advantage.