Robinson relieved at decision

Coach Mark Robinson is pleased with Sussex's bowling © Getty Images

Sussex's gamble paid off as the LV County Championship Division One champions put themselves in pole position to avoid the dreaded drop by taking control of their relegation battle against Yorkshire.

Whatever else happens at other venues in a four-way set-to to stay up in this last round of matches, Sussex know they need to stay above their opponents at Hove.

But far from setting out to protect what they initially held - a four-point advantage over the White Rose - Sussex were eyeing victory, even before they reduced Yorkshire to a sorry 84 for six on a rain-shortened first day.

Bad light was also a nuisance. Yet after waiting almost two hours to get back on the pitch for a 14-over final session, Sussex were rewarded with a telling burst from Mohammad Sami (3-39) as Yorkshire lost three wickets for six runs.

Coach Mark Robinson explained afterwards that a last-minute rethink was partially responsible for Sussex's well-being - after they abandoned an initial intention to bat first.

Chris Adams duly won the toss, and Robinson confirmed: "Obviously we were going to bat.

"But with the forecast as it was for leaden skies for most of the day and bright sunshine tomorrow, we decided to do the aggressive thing - put them in and try and exploit the conditions.

Mohammad Sami bowled with aggression against Yorkshire

"We've had a few U-turns recently and we had one at the toss here."

More rain did its best to confound Sussex, before Pakistan fast bowler Sami saw off Jacques Rudolph and Gerard Brophy in a pacy spell just before stumps.

"To sit up here for three-quarters of the day was massively frustrating, because you're starting to envisage the majority of Yorkshire's batting under bright skies - which we didn't want to happen," added Robinson.

"But that was a lovely little spell there (from Sami), so it worked out really well in the end."

Robinson is nonetheless taking nothing for granted yet.

"We mustn't get too far ahead of ourselves," said the former Yorkshire bowler.

"We've had a great little session. There's a little bit more in the wicket, a bit of carry - but they've got a good seam attack in their own right.

"What we don't want to do is let them back in. We're in a good position at the moment - but we want to make sure we force it home tomorrow and keep going from there.

"We've only got six of the 10 wickets; we've got to get the next four as quickly as we can - and we've got to bat well, and not let Yorkshire back into the game."