Northamptonshire 2XI struggled to post an imposing first innings score which saw them finish the first day 165 runs behind Sussex 2XI.

After winning the toss and electing to bat, George Hargrave and Hughes-Rowlands opened up for the hosts.

It was a nightmare start for the hosts, as by the end of the fifth over, the 2XI found themselves in trouble, with seamer Bradley Currie picked up the wickets of Hargrave, Arush Buchake and Harry Broderick to put the batting side 17-4 after just five overs.

Zen Malik and Charles Oldershaw were only able to put on 27 runs before they both fell in the 16th over to TL Oakley, leaving the 2XI were 45-6.

Rishabh Upahdyay fell quickly after in the 19th over, leaving Freddie Heldreich and Alex Russell at the crease just before Lunch.

The pair managed to play through to lunch, with the batting side 81/7 and Heldreich unbeaten on 24.

Heldreich and Russell and played nicely to bring up their fifty partnership just after lunch, however Russell fell a few overs later as he was caught by Zach Lion-Cachet off the bowling of Cash.

The 2XI were quickly dismissed for 111 with Ethan Rice bowled by Bertie Foreman and Freddie Heldreich, who top scored with 35, was trapped LBW by George Ealham.

Harrison Ward and Zach Lion-Cachet opened for the visitors, and came out with real intent, bringing up the fifty partnership in 6.5 overs.

William Prideaux struck three overs later, forcing an outside edge from Ward and giving Oldershaw a simple catch behind the stumps. George O’Connor took the second wicket five overs later as he removed Willis for five to leave Sussex 2XI 70-2.

Archie Lenham and Zach Lion-Cachet put on 24 more runs to guide Sussex to 94/2 at Tea on the first day.

The pair put Sussex into the driving seat as after Tea, they put on 110 more runs before Lenham was bowled by Freddie Heldreich for his first wicket of the day.

Zion-Cachet brilliantly brought up his century in the 45th over, striking seventeen 4s on his way to his hundred.

Sussex 2XI finished the day on 254/4 at the end of the day, leading Northamptonshire’s first innings score by 165 runs.