David Wiese believes Sussex are far too level-headed to be un-nerved by a dodgy start.

That is just as well considering they were 36-5 on their own pitch just an hour into the new season.

The county’s top order folded under partial cloud cover on the opening day of the Specsavers County Championship season at home to Leicestershire.

But Wiese’s half-century led a recovery which brought respectability and something of a foothold, if not a bonus point.

By the end, they were probably a bit disappointed not to be in a better position than 42 ahead with five wickets still to take.

Phil Salt nibbled at Chris Wright outside his off stump in the first over to start a Sussex procession back to the hutch before the clock struck noon.

The Argus:

Even Ben Brown, so often the man to rectify a poor start last year, succumbed to an inside edge.

But Stiaan Van Zyl offered signs that he is getting back in the swing after a lengthy absence while Wiese underlined his sometimes under-rated all-rounder credentials.

Asked what was being said on the players’ balcony during that first hour, Wiese told The Argus: “It’s a tough one because you want to get off to a good start.

“You want to get off to an emphatic start and send out a message to the rest of the guys.

“But you have got to remember you don’t win the trophy or anything in April.

“There is still a lot of cricket left to be played throughout the season.

“It’s disappointing to get off to a start like that, especially given the hard work we have put in during pre-season.

“But it’s not the end of the world. You never judge a wicket or a score until both teams have batted.

“We got them on the ropes at five down early on also.”

Mir Hamza offered indications of the role he can play during the 70% of that long Championship campaign for which he will be around.

He began by doing what his idol Imran Khan used to prefer – running up from the Sea End – and got swing from the off before opening his account with a sharp, lowish return catch off Ateeq Javed.

Then he switched to the Cromwell Road End and added two more scalps – a thin edge and an lbw.

When Ollie Robinson was helped by a second good slip catch - Harry Finch off dangerous Coln Ackermann to follow Chris Jordan from Hasan Azad - Leicestershire were 59-5.

But Harry Dearden and Lewis Hill put the visitors back on top by adding 72.

That was a valuable effort by the sixth-wicket pair but seamer Tim Taylor was their star with career-best figures, including most of the Sussex upper order.

Wiese counter-attacked with ten fours in his 51, made from 56 balls.

He said: “It’s nice to dig the team out of a hole.

“It’s always disappointing when you get to 50 and then give it away like that.

“It’s something I need to work on but it was nice to build a partnership with Stiaan.”