All-rounder Delray Rawlins came within a single of opening the LV= Insurance County Championship season with a deserved fifty yesterday against Nottinghamshire.

Rawlins, batting at No 7, was bowled for 49 in the penultimate over of the first day as Sussex reached 302 for six at the close after being sent in to bat at the 1st Central County Ground in Hove.

The left-hander attempted to bring up the milestone with a cut against a wide ball from Notts captain Steve Mullaney but succeeded only in chopping the ball back on to his stumps — and agonisingly had to drag himself off the pitch.

Play was called after the next over with Sussex finishing the first of four days on 302 for six.

Sussex had a promising start to their season in the second division, with Ali Orr (68) and captain Tom Haines (59) putting on 110 for the first wicket.

Tom Alsop and wicketkeeper Oli Carter, the Nos 3 and 4 batsmen, went cheaply for one and 14 respectively, as Sussex collapsed to 137 for three. Carter led a middle-order fightback, scoring 82 not out from 150 balls with eight fours in 180 minutes at the crease.

Carter was joined on 215 for five by Rawlins and the pair brought up the 300 in 75 minutes with Rawlins hitting eight fours from 75 balls faced during the 87-run partnership for the sixth wicket.

Liam Patterson-White, the fifth bowler used by Nottinghamshire, took three of the first four wickets to fall on his way to figures of three for 69 from 34 overs.