Worcestershire’s substantial strength in depth with their batting line-up paid dividends as they extended their first innings advantage to 128 on the third morning of the Specsavers County Championship match with Sussex at Kidderminster.

The home side resumed on 262-6 – a lead of seven runs – and contributions from Ben Cox, Brett D’Oliveira, Wayne Parnell and club captain Joe Leach stretched the total to 383 all out at lunch despite a five wicket haul from Ollie Robinson.

Sussex were able to take the second new ball immediately and, after a short break for rain, Cox and D’Oliveira completed a half century stand.

Ollie Robinson made the first breakthrough of the day when Cox (61) pushed forward and nicked through to keeper Ben Brown.His 105 ball knock contained seven fours.

Robinson struck again when D’Oliveira (31) was lbw with the total 296-8 but then Parnell followed up his four first innings wickets by stretching the lead in partnership with Leach to significant proportions.

Leach on drove Chris Jordan for four to bring up the 300 and then leg glanced him for four. He then collected two boundaries in an over from David Weise.

Parnell was also full of aggressive intent and clubbed the first ball from spinner Will Beer to the mid wicket boundary. The half century stand between the ninth wicket pair came up in just nine overs.

The partnership was extended to 68 before Parnell (43) was bowled off his legs by Luke Wells.

But Leach went onto complete his 50 from 68 balls with a pull for six off Robinson. It also contained eight fours.

Robinson completed his five wicket haul by bowling Finch for 0 to finish with 29.5-4-84-5 and leave Leach unbeaten on 54.