Harmison is deceived by the wily Mushtaq at the Riverside

Sussex enjoyed a dominant opening day at the Riverside, closing on 119-2 having skittled out Durham for 110.

The Pakistan combination of Rana Naved and Mushtaq Ahmed claimed nine wickets between them and have a total of 55 Championship scalps already this term.

Richard Montgomerie and Carl Hopkinson shared 57 as Sussex made a swift reply and Murray Goodwin fired four fours and a six in an unbeaten 38 from 30 balls.

Steve Harmison's six overs caused few alarms, although Hopkinson was dropped.

Durham have twice picked up maximum batting points this season but skipper Dale Benkenstein was soon regretting his decision to bat.

Three days of heavy rain led to the start being delayed by an hour and the home side were soon in danger of falling below their total of 91 against Derbyshire two years ago.

Mushtaq took his first four wickets with googlies, and though he was hit for a brace of boundaries by both Phil Mustard and Harmison, he finished with 5-25.

Naved ended the innings with a slower ball that bowled Graham Onions.

Harmison should have had a wicket to his name when Hopkinson was dropped at first slip by Gareth Breese but the Sussex batsman was then lbw to Ottis Gibson.

With no addition to the score Montgomerie top-edged a pull but Goodwin's explosive knock ensured Sussex were firmly in command when bad light ended play 5.4 overs early.