Tony Cottey fired an unbeaten 152 off only 194 balls to put Sussex 2nd XI in control in their Championship clash with Northamptonshire.

Sussex, chasing their first win in five outings, reached 335-4 after winning the toss at Northampton with Cottey compiling 23 fours in his chanceless innings.

The former Glamorgan batsman, left out of the first team in the last three first team Championship games following a run of low scores, made the hosts suffer after coming to the wicket with his side 52-2.

He shared in a third wicket stand of 94 with Dominic Clapp (61), then Will House (35) joined him to add 90.

Clapp was caught behind off medium-pacer Michael Cawdron, having struck eight fours from 137 balls and House wasted no time in thumping 35 off only 34 balls before skying Ricky Anderson to deep point.

There were two fours and three sixes in House's breezy knock and Cottey found further good support as Carl Hopkinson (32 not out) joined him to add an unbeaten 99 for the fifth wicket before rain and bad light brought about an early finish.

Rain had prevented any play on the first day and, on a greenish pitch, Sussex suffered an early blow when former Gloucestershire bowler Cawdron had Bas Zuiderent caught behind for 13.

Jamie Carpenter also missed out as ex-Derbyshire paceman Matthew Cassar pinned him in front for nine.

Cottey then held centre stage to lead Sussex to their highest score of the season.