Worcestershire made early inroads with the ball after obtaining a first innings lead of 128 in the Specsavers County Championship match with Sussex at Kidderminster.

Joe Leach, Adam Finch, Ed Barnard and Wayne Parnell all picked up one wicket in reducing the visitors to 34-4.

Leach Luke Wells (0) was lbw to the fifth ball of the innings from Leach whose new ball partner Finch then forced Harry Finch (4) to chop onto his stumps.

Barnard added to Sussex’s woes when his first delivery forced a leading edge out of Will Beer (9) who lobbed up a simple return catch.

Stiaan van Zyl (18) then fell to a superb catch by Josh Dell at cover off Parnell who then limped off flexing his left knee.

The in-form Ben Brown and Laurie Evans led a recovery by adding an unbroken 49 to take Sussex to 83-4 by tea.

Worcestershire had demonstrated their batting depth in totalling 383 and four batting points after resuming on 262-6.

Ben Cox (61) and Brett D’Oliveira (31) extended their stand to 55 in 14 overs before both fell to Ollie Robinson.

Parnell and Leach then joined forces and added 68 in 15 overs before the former was bowled by Luke Wells for 43.

Leach (54 not out) reached a half century with a six over long on from Robinson who completed a five wicket haul by bowling Finch (0).