Adam Wheater and Gareth Berg put Hampshire firmly in the driving seat with a record eighth wicket partnership against Sussex.

The pair put on 165 to help Hampshire move from 264-7 at lunch to 392 all out by tea at Hove – a first innings lead of 141.

Wheater smashed 111 from 99 balls before he top-edged a sweep off Luke Wells while Berg fell agonisingly short of a century when he was run out for 99.

Wells also picked up the wicket of Fidel Edwards when he miscued a slog to Luke Wright at mid-off having made just two.

It completed a frustrating day for Sussex who had begun with hopes of bowling Hampshire out for less than their first innings total of 251 with the visitors resuming on 116-4 in the morning.

Ollie Robinson picked up his third wicket when he had nightwatchman Danny Briggs caught behind attempting an upper cut for 12.

Matt Hobden then got rid of the dangerous James Vince for 76 – caught at first slip by Ed Joyce – and followed it up by trapping Sean Ervine lbw for 15.