Visitors Derbyshire have had a good start to their final LV= Insurance County Championship match of the season against Sussex at the 1st Central County Ground, posting 371 for five by the close of the first day.

The match is a battle to see who finishes bottom of Division Three, with Sussex in last place, 2½ points behind their opponents, who are seeking their first win of the season.

It proved to be a good toss for Derbyshire to win, the flat surface enabling them to post a season-best opening stand of 89 in 16 overs between captain Billy Godleman and Harry Came, who scored 52 and 45 respectively.

They laid the foundation for Wayne Madsen to carry on and lead the way with 111 off 182 balls, the 37-year-old’s first century of the season. Matt Critchley added 85 as Derbyshire finished the first day in a strong position.

Opener Henry Crocombe claimed two wickets in successive overs in his second spell to finish with two wickets for 69 runs while first-change Jamie Atkins, the 19-year-old fast bowler, marked his return after nearly three months out with shoulder trouble with two for 86.

Sussex used eight bowlers with Bermudian Delray Rawlins the seventh used, bowling three overs for ten runs.