Luke Wright put the “dark times” behind him as he produced a dazzling performance at Hove last night.

Wright smashed a brilliant 103 to inspire Sussex to a four-wicket victory over Yorkshire to keep them on top of Group C in the CB40.

It was only the England all-rounder’s second one-day century and he admitted it was extra special after a year blighted by illness and injury.

Wright was playing his first game at Hove since last July after his 2011 season was ended prematurely by a knee injury while this was only his second outing for Sussex this season due to a combination of IPL commitments and a mystery bug.

Wright said: “It’s been a while since I played at Hove so it was great to start with a win and get some runs.

“I’ve had some dark times this last year and it has been frustrating but credit to the physios at Sussex and England as they have done a great job to get me back.

“It feels special. It is always nice to get to 100 but the win is all that matters.”

Wright followed up his matchwinning 59 at Northamptonshire on Sunday with another breathtaking display with the bat as he reached his century off 91 balls with ten fours and two sixes.

He shared in a 90-run partnership with Joe Gatting which effectively won the game and added: “Credit to Joe as the way he came in and played took the pressure off me and meant I could play with freedom.”

Skipper Mike Yardy missed the game with a finger injury sustained in the nets but is expected to be fit to face Nottinghamshire in the County Championship at Hove today.