Martin Saggers lived up to his reputation as one of the ablest new ball bowlers on the county circuit with figures of six for 39 as batsmen endured a difficult day at the Nevill Ground.

Saggers tore the heart out of the Sussex innings with some high-class swing bowling after Richard Montgomerie (35) and Michael Yardy (24) had put on 65 for the second wicket.

The visitors were handily placed at 89 for one, but although seven batsmen reached double figures, none was able to go on to play a major innings.

Saggers swept through the middle order and there was no prolonged resistance until number nine Mark Davis hung around for almost an hour to make 24 not out.

Sussex redeemed themselves partially with the ball as Kevin Innes, Robin Martin-Jenkins and James Kirtley picked up a wicket each before the close.

Robert Key hit seven fours in an aggressive 39 and skipper David Fulton and Ed Smith both got into the 20s and no further.

Australian Andrew Symonds looked a class above anything else on show, however, as he collected 10 boundaries in reaching an unbeaten 53 off 64 balls by the close.

Kent: D P Fulton (Capt), R W T Key, E T Smith, A Symonds, M J Walker, M A Ealham, P A Nixon (Wkt), B J Trott, M M Patel, M J Saggers, A Khan.

Sussex: R R Montgomerie, M W Goodwin, K J Innes, P A Cottey, M H Yardy, T R Ambrose, R S C Martin-Jenkins, M J Prior (Wkt), M J G Davis, R J Kirtley (Capt), J D Lewry.

Umpires: A A Jones and B Leadbeater