Delray Rawlins has admitted his Championship call-up came as a shock.

But Sussex were thankful for his stylish strokeplay and spin option as they battled to stave off embarrassment by Durham.

Rawlins took 3-19 and later scored 56 not out after being called in for injured Danny Briggs.

Despite his efforts and 56 by David Wiese, Sussex trail by 153 runs after two days of their division two tussle at Hove.

Sussex were floundering at 2-3 and 110-7 but Rawlins gave them something to smile about.

He told The Argus: “I found out (about the call-up) on Sunday morning.

“The boys had training here and Dizzy (head coach Jason Gillespie) rang me up and said, ‘Briggsy has gone down and we’re looking for another spin option and maybe some batting down the order’.

“He said, ‘Mate, it looks like you might play’.

“It was a bit of a shock to me and it wasn’t on my radar.

“But these are probably the opportunities you need to show what you can do. It’s nice to get it.

“Not nice to get it through an injury but hopefully Briggsy is back soon and back in the fold.”

Rawlins follows Albion wideman Solly March as a former student at Bede’s School, Hailsham, impressing in professional spot.

He said: “I didn’t know Solly. It would have been pretty cool. He’s a couple of years older than me.”