Sussex v Derbyshire day 2

Derbyshire 465 (Dal 49*)

Sussex 255-6 (Brown 150*, Carter 51, Aitchison 3-60, Melton 3-47)

Derbyshire lead by 210 runs

A superb century by Ben Brown proved the major obstacle to Derbyshire's hopes of ending the season with a win at Hove today.

After our first innings ended at 465, with Anuj Dal continuing his excellent end of season form with an unbeaten 49, Brown played pretty much a lone hand for the home side.

Oli Carter made a nice half century and helped to add 142 for the fifth wicket after Sussex slipped to 46-4 at one stage. Ben Aitchison took a wicket with the first ball of the innings, Orr caught behind by Guest. But after Aitchison's three - wicket salvo there was, no further joy until Melton struck twice in an over after tea, removing Carter and Rawlins.

Melton also took three wickets and bowled with good pace all day, while Dal continued to show signs of becoming a steady bowler. If he can get a little more menace in his bowling, he could prove an all rounder of talent. There wasn't much in the wicket for Critchley, while McKiernan barely bowled. Meanwhile Moulton looks a little out of his depth at this level and I would be surprised if we pursued an interest in the Lancashire seamer. 

Brown ended the day on 150 out of 255-6, a splendid and hugely enjoyable innings. Brooke Guest was convinced he had him stumped in the day's penultimate over, but the umpire deemed otherwise. Otherwise he went serenely on and kept his side in the game. 

A rush of wickets tomorrow morning may still see the follow on enforced, but I would be surprised if we did. Our best chance of a win might be the hope it turns in two days time, while Matt Critchley will want a crack at the last fifteen runs he needs for his thousand.

All still to play for then, with two days to go.