Mushtaq Ahmed passed another milestone in his remarkable career as Sussex made a great start to their Championship defence yesterday.

The Pakistan leg-spinner, who is the leading wicket-taker in the world of current players, took his 1,300 first-class wicket when he bowled Kent's former England wicketkeeper Geraint Jones.

Mushtaq finished with 6-74 to help bowl out Kent for 216.

All this despite not bowling competitively in pre-season after his arrival was delayed from Pakistan following their early elimination from the World Cup.

He said: "It is easy for leg spinners to make excuses early in the season because conditions are sometimes not great.

"But if you are mentally strong you can overcome these things and that is what I tried to do.

"I know I have a responsibility to deliver for Sussex and I worked hard to deliver for my team-mates."