Skipper Michael Powell and Mark Wagh batted Warwickshire into a strong position after day one of the Cricinfo Championship match against Sussex at Hove.

Powell fell seven runs short of his first century of the season while Wagh will resume on Saturday unbeaten on 78 with his side well placed on 281-3. Warwickshire made good use of a true pitch which flattened out after offering some early assistance to the Sussex attack.

But the hosts were also left to regret some butter-fingered fielding which reprieved Powell three times in the space of six balls when he was still in the 30s.

Michael Yardy spilled a high chance off Robin Martin-Jenkins at second slip and then the luckless James Kirtley, who bowled beautifully all day, was left thumping the ground in frustration after seeing Powell dropped twice in three balls.

Wicket-keeper Matt Prior shelled a dolly off a top-edged pull then Richard Montgomerie put down a more difficult chance off a thick edge at second slip.

Powell went on to make 93 off 168 balls with 14 fours and a swatted six over cover off Martin-Jenkins before he mistimed a drive at Jason Lewry through mid-wicket and spooned a leading edge instead to extra cover.

Powell had put on 115 with Nick Knight for the first wicket, the left-hander falling after lunch for 46 when he shuffled half-forward to Kirtley and fell leg before.

The Sussex bowlers showed commendable control under a blazing sun and Martin-Jenkins made a third breakthrough after tea when David Hemp edged him to the keeper for 30.

By the close Wagh and Dominic Ostler had extended their fourth wicket stand to 79.

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