Prior finds freedom for Sussex

Yorkshire 255 Sussex 39

If the escapee from Ford Open Prison had any sense he would have made his way just a couple of miles up the road to the more aristocratic setting of Arundel Castle where he could have lost himself in another, very different, captive audience.

That is certainly what the police believed to judge by the time their helicopter hovered overhead but, rather like Yorkshire, by the close they were left empty-handed. If he had decided to lose himself in the crowd, the fleeing felon would have witnessed a fascinating day's cricket that culminated with Sussex firmly in charge.

While the home side did not quite have the run of the place – they were made to work hard and negotiate some sticky passages – they were still able to eventually break free thanks to a career-best total from Matt Prior, a busy contribution from Mark Davis and a solid, three-hour half-century by opener Richard Montgomerie that combined to set them up very nicely for a useful first-innings lead.

Yorkshire's spinners were operating from the middle of the day, although the initial breakthrough was made by Craig White, who claimed the first three to fall, including Montgomerie for 78.

Prudence and patience were the watchwords for Sussex and no one demonstrated those qualities more than Michael Yardy, who grappled manfully with pace and spin alike as he dug in from before lunch into the heart of a long afternoon.

It was not really until tea that Prior was able to cut loose, lofting a six over midwicket to go with 11 boundaries, as he and Robin Martin-Jenkins shared in a sixth wicket stand of 73. Davis carried on the good work with 70 and Sussex ended with a 137-run advantage.