Worcestershire opener Richard Oliver defied a persevering Sussex attack for more than four hours to score his second first-class hundred on the second day of the Championship match at Hove.

The 25-year-old left-hander made 101 to help his side reach tea on 275-6 replying to Sussex’s 345.

Oliver, who only joined the professional ranks last year after eight years playing club cricket, was dropped on 46 andlucky to survive when a ball from Ashar Zaidi hit his stumps without dislodging the bails.

But he played with increasing confidence, hitting 13 boundaries before somewhat tamely driving Luke Wells to short extra cover, having faced 212 balls.

The part-time spinner struck again three balls later when Ben Cox was leg before sweeping but Alex Kervezee kept Worcestershire well in the game with an unbeaten 71.

Earlier, Steve Magoffin struck twice in the space of three overs to lift Sussex after a frustrating morning. Last year’s leading first division wicket-taker nipped one back to beat Alex Gidman’s defences then had Tom Kohler-Cadmore neatly taken at second slip by substitute fielder Harry Finch.