Ollie Robinson took a career-best eight-for and received his county cap for Sussex.

He may well have also helped them take control of a Championship contest being seen by some as must-win in the promotion race.

Robinson took the first eight wickets to fall as Middlesex were bowled out for 75 on the opening day at Hove.

Sussex were 127-3 at stumps, a lead of 52.

There were thoughts of a perfect ten for Robinson until Tom Haines and Will Beer shared the last two wickets to fall.

He now has 48 victims for the season, 18 of them against Middlesex.

The fact he passed 200 first-class wickets in the process qualified him for a cap he received from skipper Ben Brown en route to the changing room at the end of the innings.

Sussex were wobbling at 15-3 in reply but Luke Wells, and Alex Carey took them into a handy lead.

Wells, in need of a score, reached his half century off 121 balls and is on 52 overnight.

Carey, on his first-class debut for the county, has made 46 and the partnership has so far added 113.

Robinson did not bowl at his quickest coming down from the Cromwell Road End but off-stump line, length and movement caused havoc.

He struck with the first ball of the innings as Sam Robson was caught behind.

Harry Finch helped him with three catches in the slips and Haines held a stunner low down at gully to get rid of Nick Gubbins.

Only Steve Eskinazi (24) and last man Tim Murtagh, who finished 20 not out, reached double figures for Middlesex.

Play for the day started at 2.30pm after heavy rain and a wet outfield delayed the action.