Hall marks captaincy in style

Sussex 175 v Northamptonshire 118 for 5
Scorecard

Andrew Hall took three wickets in his first match since becoming Northamptonshire skipper as the hosts took control against Sussex on an enthralling first day of the County Championship clash at Wantage Road.

The South African all-rounder, who was handed the captaincy duties after Nicky Boje resigned on Monday, took 3 for 19 from seven overs as Sussex were skittled for 175 on a lively pitch - with the last six wickets tumbling for just nine runs off 44 deliveries. Lee Daggett finished with figures of 3 for 38.

Sussex opener Chris Nash led the visitors' resistance, hitting 78 off 116 balls, with just three other batsmen making double figures. Northamptonshire lost five wickets in reply before the close, Robin Martin-Jenkins striking twice as the home team ended the day on 118 for 5 - 57 runs behind.

Sussex won the toss and chose to bat in sunny conditions, but they lost Michael Thornely (6) in just the fourth over when he launched David Willey straight to Jack Brooks at long leg.

Ed Joyce, playing his first match since a hip operation, was only able to put on 14 before he edged Daggett, in his first over, to Hall at first slip.

James Middlebrook's first delivery of the day did for Sussex captain Murray Goodwin, who made 30, when he played onto his off stump.

It was evenly balanced at lunch with the visitors on 105 for 3, and Nash went on to complete his half-century off 88 balls in the second over after the break.

England wicketkeeper Matt Prior plundered a quickfire 23 off 29 balls before he was trapped lbw by Willey as conditions became gloomier. Nash eventually departed on 78 when he edged Daggett to Northamptonshire and Ireland wicketkeeper Niall O'Brien.

Andrew Hodd (7) perished in the next over - his off and middle stumps were taken out by Hall as Sussex really started to struggle. It got worse for them when Ollie Rayner departed for just 3 when he knocked Daggett straight to David Sales at second slip.

Martin-Jenkins (2) was then run out by Willey at cover via a direct hit before Hall ended the Sussex innings by pinning first James Anyon then Corey Collymore lbw for ducks.

In reply, O'Brien smacked 22 off 21 balls before edging Collymore to Prior in the third over before tea.

Two wickets fell in one Martin-Jenkins over with Alex Wakely (17) getting caught leg before and Sales (1) slashing wildly to Thornely at first slip.

Opener Stephen Peters looked in good nick as he reached his fifty off 97 balls - he finished the day unbeaten on 55 - but Rob White fell for 15 by edging Raynor to Joyce at slip.

From the final ball, Hall (2) had his off stump removed by Anyon to leave the hosts 57 runs behind with five wickets in hand.