Delray Rawlins had one of his longest bowling spells in county cricket, finishing wicketless from 36 overs as Leicestershire fought back on day three of their LV= Insurance County Championship second division match at the 1st Central County Ground in Hove yesterday.

Replying to Sussex’s mammoth 588 for nine declared, Leicester finished yesterday on 529 for four to trail by 59 runs with just a day remaining.

After a second-wicket stand of 174 between Rishi Patel (99) and Louis Kimber, Leicestershire moved comfortably from 159 for one overnight as the Sussex bowlers found wickets hard to come by.

Patel missed out on a deserved century when he charged down the wicket to off spinner James Coles three balls before lunch and edged a catch to wicketkeeper Oli Carter. He hit 17 fours and a six.

There Leicestershire batsmen still went on to score centuries as they piled on the runs in their reply. Colin Ackermann, batting at No 4, is 167 not out from 334 minutes at the crease, hitting 25 fours and a six, while Wiaan Mulder is 129 not out off 176 balls, which included 22 fours. In 208 minutes, the pair put on 250 for the fifth wicket in taking the score from 279.

Kimber, who came in at No 3, scored 104 as Leicestershire began their positive response.

Acting captain Steven Finn, who opened the bowling for Sussex, claimed three for 81 from 29 overs, while Rawlins conceded 136 runs in his fruitless spell.