Sussex 597-8 Yorkshire 188-7: Hodd carries Sussex to massive total

Whatever the outcome of the Championship race no one will be able to accuse Sussex of relinquishing their title without a fight – in fact they look a good bet to retain their crown judging by their performance against leaders Yorkshire here at Hove yesterday.

Having denied Yorkshire a vital bowling bonus point by declaring, the Sussex attack then picked off the Championship leaders' top guns to nullify their ability to pick up maximum batting points.

If, as expected, Sussex win with a maximum 22 points, Yorkshire's title chances, with only one game remaining to them, will be decidedly dodgy.

Sussex's powerful surge towards the top of the First Division was headed by the wicketkeeper Andrew Hodd, who helped to take Sussex to an imposing total thanks to his maiden Championship hundred.

It was only the fourth time that Sussex had passed the 500-mark this season, but their timing could not have been better.

The responsibility shown by Hodd and Robin Martin-Jenkins early on was echoed in turn by Rana Naved-ul-Hasan and finally Saqlain Mushtaq as each partnership produced runs. When captain Chris Adams finally declared at the fall of Hodd's wicket eight of the nine Sussex batsmen had passed 40.

Hodd picked up where he had left off the previous evening, batting for a further three hours for a career best 123, during which time he shared in stands of 79 with Martin-Jenkins, 90 with Rana Naved and 97 with Saqlain, who finished unbeaten on 57 – his first 50 since August 2003 and his highest since a 68 against Sussex the same season.

Yorkshire's reply was crammed with intent, but lacking in content. Andrew Gale hung around for 165 minutes of wary batting against the leg spin of Mushtaq and the swing and seam of Jason Lewry and Martin-Jenkins, but he was unable to get on top.

The Sussex attack ruled. Lewry struck first, having Michael Vaughan caught in the gully by Michael Yardy. Mushtaq then rattled Yorkshire with the wickets of Anthony McGrath and then Inzamam-ul-Haq.

When Martin-Jenkins accounted for Jacques Rudolph and Gerard Brophy the skids were well and truly under Yorkshire and Mushtaq added to their misery with a couple more, including Gale for 50, towards the close to leave the visitors needing 260 more to avoid the follow-on.