CAPTAINING Sussex for the the first time, Luke Wells again showed his liking for the Durham attack as he passed 1,000 championship runs, 258 of them coming when the sides clashed at Hove in May.

On the Chester-le-Street ground where he made his maiden century six years ago, he reached the landmark when a four through mid-wicket off a Ryan Pringle full toss took him to 37.

Wells was on 46 out of 88 for one at lunch, having seen opening partner Harry Finch depart first ball. He shuffled across to the sixth ball of Chris Rushworth's opening over and was lbw.

Stiaan van Zyl scored one off his first 26 balls but two whipped pulls for four off successive balls from Brydon Carse helped him to 33 at the break.

He was fortunate on 27 when a ball from Graham Onions cut back to breach his defence but passed over the stumps.

On a sunny morning Sussex were granted their wish to bat first when Durham won the toss and put them in. Rushworth beat Wells several times but was unable to follow up his early success.