The Sussex recovery after lunch was led by Harry Finch and, almost inevitably, the captain Ben Brown.

Finch, who was dropped behind on 63, was in aggressive form and hit Hardus Viljoen for two sixes, over square-leg and long-leg, in the same over.

There were also 11 fours in his 143-ball 82 before he lost his off-stump to Antonio Palladino. But by then he Brown had added 103 for the fifth wicket.

Viljoen was not enjoying a reprise of his magnificent form here last season, when he had match figures of 15 for 170 (seven for 80 and eight for 90) in Derbyshire’s victory.

Brown reached his half-century from 69 deliveries, with seven fours. At tea he was 78 not out and had guided Sussex to 271-5.

Just before the interval Daryn Smit took over from Wayne Madsen behind the stumps.