County Championship: Yorkshire dominate Sussex on day one

Yorkshire enjoyed the better of a hard-fought opening day against Division Two leaders Sussex at Scarborough.

Sussex, 27 points clear of third-placed Yorkshire, battled hard to reach the close on 187-9 from 72 overs.

That included half-centuries for left-handers Daniel Hughes (53) and Tom Alsop, who top-scored with 84 not out.

But there were also cameo appearances on both sides for two England players each looking to rekindle their Test career, Jonny Bairstow and Ollie Robinson.

Bairstow was neat and tidy after taking the wicketkeeping gloves for Yorkshire in his first county appearance of the season, while Sussex paceman Robinson lasted seven balls for his two runs late on, shortly before play was called off for bad light at 18:15 BST.

After rain had limited the morning session to only four overs, Matthew Revis’ seam accounted for three wickets as Sussex had to recover from 14-2.

Australian overseas opener Hughes has enjoyed an excellent start to life with Sussex – and he has just signed on to return for the majority of 2025.

He drove the first ball of the match, from Ben Coad, through the covers after Jonny Tattersall had elected to bowl. But, having reached his fifty off 85 balls, after sharing a stand of 61 for the third wicket with Alsop, he drove Coad to cover two balls later.

Like Hughes, Alsop has this week committed his future to Sussex, signing a long-term contract. He was also strong on the drive but was far more obdurate than Hughes, seemingly determined to make the most of his life on nine when Fin Bean shelled a head-high chance at third slip off Revis.