WORCESTERSHIRE bowler Joe Leach recorded brilliant figures of 6-73 from 24 overs at Sussex on Sunday to become the leading wicket-taker in Division Two of the County Championship. 

But it was a mixed day for the visitors at The Hove as they were unable to capitalise on reducing the hosts to 47-3 and 142-6. 

Valuable contributions from the likes of Olie Carter (76), Nathan McAndrew (65) and Jack Carson (60*) helped Sussex reach 338-9 from 88 overs by the close of play. 

"As a side, it was a bit of a mixed day if I’m perfectly honest.  We bowled well in patches and poorly in patches," added an honest Leach following the day's play.

"From the positions, we put ourselves in, we are probably slightly disappointed that the score is where it is after winning the toss and bowling at the start of the day.

"But equally, Sussex may also feel disappointed that they have given us three or four wickets.  

"It is an outstanding cricket pitch.  If you put the ball in the right area for long enough you did get your rewards.  

"But it also looked easy to bat on for good chunks of the day. Probably honours even on the scoreboard but I think we are slightly disappointed with where it has ended up."

Leach said Worcestershire are striving to start sessions better with the ball.

"We’ve spoken a lot about starting sessions well, and we haven’t managed to do that today and, if we are brutally honest, that is the most disappointing thing," he added.

"We haven’t managed to do that well enough over the course of the season. It sets the tone for how the session is going to go.

"If you have to spend a period of time dragging it back then it affects the scoreboard and the state of the game.

"It goes without saying that we want to do that better, and we will be looking to."