SUSSEX skipper Chris Adams put Lancashire to the sword with an unbeaten 145 as they piled up 458 for nine on the opening day of their Championship clash at Old Trafford.

However, Sajid Mahmood ensured Lancashire were still in contention after it looked as though the reigning champions were running away with the match.

Ian Ward and Murray Goodwin took the visitors for 164 for one and then Adams and Matthew Prior advanced them to 305 for three.

England prospect Mahmood had Goodwin caught at third man by Carl Hooper, back in the side after recovering from his thumb injury, and returned after tea to claim the wickets of Tim Ambrose and Robin Martin-Jenkins in a hostile spell.

West Indian Test star Hooper played an important role. He held a catch at long leg to dismiss Ward (84) and took the crucial wicket of Prior (61) with the last ball before tea.

Adams received good support from the lower order and in all hit 15 fours and four sixes, but the Lancashire team thought they had a very good appeal against him turned down for a catch at short leg during the afternoon session.

Lancashire had got an early breakthrough when Mark Chilton took a stunning reflex catch at short leg to dismiss Richard Montgomerie off Dominic Cork.