Sussex’s seam attack enjoyed a profitable morning at Lord’s, reducing Middlesex to 68-4 on the first day of their crucial Specsavers County Championship match.

The toss was uncontested and Sussex made good use of ideal bowling conditions after morning rain had delayed the start until 11.30am.

Openers Nick Gubbins and Sam Robson did well to negotiate 12 overs unscathed before Middlesex lost four wickets for the addition of 30 runs.

Ollie Robinson made the breakthrough when he trapped Robson (8) in front with a ball which held its line. In the next over Steve Eskanazi was betrayed by a lack of footwork to fall lbw to Jofra Archer for a duck.

Gubbins (29) had played well until he edged David Wiese’s third delivery to Harry Finch at second slip and Wiese struck again in his fifth over from the Nursery End when Dawid Malan was lbw for six to a ball that nipped back.

Amidst much playing and missing, Eoin Morgan and Max Holden (9) took Middlesex to 68-4 at lunch, Morgan facing 46 balls for his single run.