Half-centuries by Leicestershire’s Rishi Patel and Jonny Tattersall frustrated Sussex, who had taken a first innings lead of 102 and at one stage fancied their chances of winning this County Championship match in three days.

Twenty-five overs were lost to a combination of rain and bad light on a cold and blustery third day at the County Ground, Hove, but Leicestershire, who at one stage were 37-3, still 65 runs behind, were pulled round by Patel (56) and Tattersall (54 not out).

Sussex started the day on 386-8, 58 runs ahead, and John Simpson, 89 not out overnight, was the main aggressor as they extended their lead.

Ollie Robinson had added only four when he sliced a drive to backward point but Simpson, supported by Henry Crocombe, went on to his second century of the season.

When Crocombe was last out, for 13, with the score on 430, Simpson was unbeaten on 114. He faced 141 deliveries and hit 13 fours and two sixes.

It was his 21st first-class century and, remarkably, his 12th since joining Sussex in 2024.

When Leicestershire batted again their impressive openers, Patel and Jake Weatherald, looked comfortable. But then they lost three quick wickets before lunch.

Robinson, who had bowled outstandingly well without much luck in Leicestershire’s first innings, looked set for more frustration. But then he moved a delivery of full length into Weatherald and the batsman, driving extravagantly, lost his off-stump.

Leicestershire lost their second wicket in the following over when Sol Budinger received a fine delivery from Fynn Hudson-Prentice which pitched on off-stump, straightened, and trimmed the off bail.

Foxes captain Ian Holland fell just five runs later. Crocombe, who had replaced Robinson, bowled a wide delivery and Holland edged it to Tom Clark, who took a fine low catch at second slip.

While all this was going on Patel was batting with stylish aggression at the other end. But after he had added 66 for the fourth wicket with Tattersall he was out, driving a Clark away swinger to cover-point.

His 89-ball 56 included six fours and a straight six, when he jumped down the wicket to hit Jack Carson down the ground. Patel took the attack to Carson, whose opening six-over spell went for 36.

But Tattersall found another strong partner in Steve Eskinazi, who was twice struck painful blows on the hand on his way to an unbeaten 26. When the players left the field for the last time, at 17:30 BST, Derbyshire were 154-4, with Tattersall having faced 128 deliveries.