After the starry performances of Shane Bond and Murray Goodwin on the first day, a series of bit-part contributions shaped play yesterday to leave the contest nicely balanced. James Whitaker, an England selector, was among the crowd as Hampshire were made to work hard for runs on a pitch showing signs of uneven bounce.

It was no mean effort by a Sussex attack deprived of Ryan Harris shortly before the start of the game, but for all the commendable discipline of Robin Martin-Jenkins and Chris Liddle, relishing the opportunity to back up claims that he deserves a regular place, nobody could match the penetration of Bond, the former New Zealand fast bowler, the day before.

Hampshire were able to rebuild after losing Jimmy Adams and John Crawley in successive overs during the afternoon, the latter nicking a ball that seamed away to become a first County Championship wicket for Ragheb Aga.

In the context of an absorbing contest, the 76 then added by Nic Pothas and Michael Lumb looked crucial.

No doubt later in the season Mushtaq Ahmed will be able to fillet the lower order in the manner of Bond, but a chilly day in mid-April militates heavily against wrist spin. That did not stop Chris Adams persevering with his prize asset for more than two hours either side of lunch and Mushtaq bounced in enthusiastically.

Martin-Jenkins gained due reward when his length left Adams in two minds, but Liddle was deprived late on when Lumb, having reached a stylish fifty from 80 balls, was dropped at slip by Michael Yardy.

For canine followers, that was the last noteworthy moment they will see at this stadium: dogs are banned from the Rose Bowl from today.

Lumb, identified by Shane Warne as a potential England player, knuckled down after his reprieve and found another sound ally in Greg Lamb to ensure that the second new ball - entrusted to Luke Wright with the breeze behind him - was seen off with the seventh wicket pair intact.

Sussex are all but resigned to losing Harris after Queensland confirmed that he will join this winter as a non-overseas player. Graham Dixon, the Queensland Cricket chief executive, said: “We reached an agreement with his management based on the fact that he continues to be eligible for Australian selection. We were very clear.”

Sussex: First Innings 332 (M W Goodwin 121,

M J Prior 62; S E Bond 7 for 66)

Hampshire: First Innings (overnight 4-1)

M J Brown lbw b Mushtaq 20

J A Tomlinson c Goodwin b Liddle 21

J H K Adams lbw b Martin-Jenkins 50

J P Crawley c Prior b Aga 47

M J Lumb not out 77

N Pothas b Aga 40

G A Lamb not out 20

Extras (b 3, lb 10, w 4, nb 10) 27

Total (6 wkts, 101 overs) 304

*A D Mascarenhas, C T Tremlett and S E Bond to bat.

Fall of wickets: 1-2, 2-45, 3-61, 4-153, 5-155, 6-231.

Bowling: Martin-Jenkins 25-6-59-2; Liddle 20-4-39-1; Wright 14-3-57-0; Mushtaq 25-4-75-1; Aga 14-1-52-2; Yardy 3-0-9-0.

Umpires: N G Cowley and J F Steele.