Sussex’s hopes of clinching a third win of the season in the County Championship have been held up by the rain and the steadfastness of Scott Borthwick and Kumar Sangakkara.

Borthwick and Sangakkara proved immoveable during the rain-breaks at Hove after lunch to take Durham to 137-2 when an early tea was taken.

The pair have now put on 103 for the third wicket with Borthwick unbeaten on 84 and Sangakkara 30.

The closest Sussex came to dislodging the pair was when Mike Yardy was unable to take a sharp chance when Sangakkara edged Steve Magoffin to him at second slip on 20.

There were also a couple of close calls for run outs when direct hits would have brought a wicket but otherwise the pair have dug in well.

It continued what has been a frustrating day for Sussex who declare before play resumed on 505-9.

James Anyon struck his first ball – the seventh of the day – to remove Mark Stoneman for one before Keaton Jennings was run out for 13 by Luke Wright following a dreadful mix-up with Borthwick.

At that point Durham looked to be in a spot of bother on 34-2 and requiring 355 to avoid the follow on but Borthwick made amends for his part in Jennings’ dismissal by reaching his 50 off 80 balls, including a pulled six off Anyon which ended up in the top tier of the pavilion.