Sussex’s push for a first Championship win of the season at Hove was held up by the weather today.

A half century from Ben Brown and an impressive batting performance from Ashar Zaidi saw Sussex move from 186-5 overnight to 328 all out.

That gave them a lead of 164 over Durham but their hopes of putting the visitors under pressure were cut short when bad light stopped play just two balls into their second innings.

Play was eventually called off for the day at 5.15pm with the sea fret showing no sign of lifting but Sussex are still in a strong position to claim the win which would earn them third spot in division one.

Luke Wright’s hopes of making a third century of the season in the Championship were ended when he was bowled by Chris Rushworth having added 13 to his overnight score of 74.

However, Durham’s hopes of restricting Sussex’s lead were wrecked by a partnership of 83 between Brown and Zaidi.

Zaidi smashed the first ball he faced from Rushworth for six over square leg on his way to a 56-ball 45 while Brown made his fifth Championship half century of the season before being caught off the bowling of Scott Borthwick for 64.

Borthwick also removed Chris Jordan for nine to finish with figures of 2-32 while Graham Onions dismissed Steve Magoffin for 13 to claim 3-103.