Tom Haines feels Sussex are still in their County Championship match against Lancashire at Hove despite a number of batsman including himself failing to make big scores after getting starts.

Sussex looked in control at one point on day one at 138-1, with both Haines and Van Zyl having hit half centuries but finished the day on 318-7.

Haines himself scored 58, taking him to 455 runs for the season in his first seven innings and to fourth on the list of top runs scorers in the County Championship.

However, seven of the Sharks batsman scored over 30 runs, but only Haines and Van Zyl made half centuries.

But the opener still believes they are well in the game.

He said: “I think we would have taken that score at the start of play but quite a few of us got starts including myself.

“We’ve talked as a squad about one of the top order going big if they get in and that didn’t happen, but I still feel we are in the game because there is definitely a bit in the wicket for the bowlers.

“Personally, I’m obviously pleased with how the season has started.

“It was a tough challenge today and I didn’t feel as comfortable as I have done this season but I thought I came through it well.”

George Garton who scored 87 up at Glamorgan, will be hoping to get a big score and his maiden first-class century as he resumes on unbeaten on 30 this morning alongside Jack Carson, who is 13 not out.