Elliott Hooper hailed a super moment after taking a wicket on his first-class debut for Sussex.

The spinner from Hastings captured the prized scalp of England batsman Dawid Malan as Sussex took two crucial wickets in the final hour of the second day against Middlesex.

The visitors closed on 149-4, still 85 behind, at Hove with Sussex chasing a Specsavers County Championship division two victory.

Hooper, 23, said: “I was told on Saturday I was going to be playing and it’s just very special as a Sussex boy who came through the academy system to be out there playing for Sussex - that really means a lot to me.

“Getting a player like Dawid Malan for my first wicket was a great moment and it helped get us back in control a bit.

“There’s a lot of cricket to be played but we’re in a good position.”

Malan played on to give Hooper his success while earlier Will Beer made 77 as Sussex’s last three wickets put on 151 to take them to 309.