,b.AUSTRALIAN batsman Michael Di Venuto was one of four Sussex players to record half-centuries at Southampton.

Di Venuto was joined by Chris Adams, Tony Cottey and Justin Bates whose 57 was his career-best score.

Di Venuto struck 12 boundaries in his 93, before misjudging a drive against spin bowler Shaun Udal giving Will Kendall a catch in the covers.

Adams, 47 overnight, added only six more before he was caught at the wicket by Adrian Aymes off Nixon McLean.

But Di Venuto and Cottey put on 104 for the fourth wicket as Sussex moved to maximum batting bonus points for the first time since the end of May. Cottey scored 54 in an innings which included two fives through overthrows, before he turned Udal to Giles White at short leg.

Bates was fortunate even to be playing in the match because he was heading to Headingley for a second team match when he got an emergency call at Leicester to turn back and head for Southampton.

Bates batted with ease against Hampshire's bowling, which included 23-year-old Danish left-armer Thomas Hansen playing in only his second championship match. And it was Hansen who ended Bates' two hour innings when he induced him to offer a gentle catch to Robin Smith.

Bates, whose previous best score in 13 matches was 47, hit seven boundaries in his innings, featuring in a stand of 56 for the ninth wicket with Jason Lewry.

Lewry made 30 not out as Sussex were bowled out for 375 in the 116th over. Udal was the most successful of the Hampshire bowlers taking 4-102.

Hansen, whose four overs the previous day had cost 31, recovered to finish with 3-59 - his other victims being Umer Rashid and Nick Wilton.

Hampshire made a poor start to their response, losing opener Derek Kenway in the sixth over for four when he had his off stump knocked out of the ground by James Kirtley.

Night-watchman Hansen helped Jason Laney take the score to 28 before, from the last ball of the day, he went the same way as Kenway with his off stump also knocked out of the ground by Kirtley.

Hampshire finished at 28-2 from ten overs, still trailing by 347.

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