HORSHAM

Day three of four (Sussex won toss)

Sussex 419 and 264 for five, lead Somerst, 348, by 335 runs

Lunch

The talented but out of form James Hildreth, whose only hundred this season was against Sussex at Taunton, battled doggedly through a blustery morning in which Sussex took four more wickets, two of them to Corey Collymore in a persistent spell into the wind. Both his victims, Carl Kieswetter and Ben Phillips, were caught at deep square-leg, unwisely accepting the invitation to hook.

Somerset still managed to add 71 in 24 overs, mainly through several robust blows by Steffan Jones at the expense of Luke Wright, who used the howling gale to bowl with some fire and picked up an early wicket but who needs to use his head as well as his heart.

Tea

Sussex finished off Somerset eight overs after lunch but an hour or so later than they would have hoped given the probability of the delicate declaration decision to be made by Chris Adams tomorrow. Andrew Caddick fell lbw to Jason Lewry with the new ball before James Hildreth's dogged innings ended when he attempted an optimistic second run.

The run out that stemmed Sussex's second innings flow was much less deserved. Mike Yardy had hit nine crisp fours, mainly off the front foot, when for the second match running he was the victim of a deflection by the bowler onto the non-striker's stumps. He had made 68 for the second time in the match and must wonder if he will ever make a hundred this season. His opening partner Chris Nash may be destined for a spell in the second eleven after falling lbw to Caddick in the 12th over.

Close

There was no doubting the purposefulness of Sussex's approach as they manoeuvred themselves into position to set Somerset a challenging target tomorrow. Luke Wright was caught at slip off an Ian Blackwell ball that turned but Murray Goodwin made a brisk 21 before falling to a top edged hook off Andrew Caddick, setting the stage for a glorious display of cover driving and pulling by Matt Prior. He made 73 off 76 balls with 13 fours before he. too, was out top edging a hook to the combative Steffan Jones.