WORCESTERSHIRE opener Richard Oliver scored his first LV= County Championship Division One century — and Alexei Kervezee fell just seven short of his hundred — on day two of the see-saw clash with Sussex at Hove.

Their efforts — plus another half-century from Gareth Andrew — were largely responsible for Worcestershire earning a first-innings lead of 44 and securing four batting points before they were dismissed for 389.

Oliver, 12 months ago playing Minor Counties cricket for Shropshire, reached three figures with a single off Luke Wells, the left-hander getting to the milestone off 207 balls with 13 boundaries.

The 25-year-old showed there is more to his game than just aggressive strokeplay as he was prepared to graft for his runs in between playing some fine shots.

Oliver shared in partnerships of 77 in 29 overs with Alex Gidman and 84 in 15 overs with Kervezee. He was eventually fifth out for 101 with the total on 227 when he was caught at short extra cover by Luke Wright.

Then Kervezee, in his first appearance of the season, took over the mantle of main run-scorer with excellent support from Andrew.

The Dutch international made 93 from 108 balls with two sixes and 12 fours before falling to Ajmal Shahzad.

Worcestershire lost two early wickets after resuming on 45-0 in reply to Sussex’s 345 all out on the opening day.

Skipper Daryl Mitchell went for 26 in the third over and then Tom Fell, a century-maker against Yorkshire, was undone by an outswinger and caught behind for three, both off Matthew Hobden.

Oliver had a let-off on 23 when Craig Cachopa failed to hold onto a difficult chance off Steve Magoffin at first slip and the same player dropped him again on 58.

Gidman (29) was adjudged lbw to Magoffin shortly after lunch and the Australian also had Tom Kohler-Cadmore (9) caught at slip.

After Oliver’s exit, wicketkeeper Ben Cox departed in the same over for nought after sweeping at Wells.

Cachopa spilled a third chance at slip off Magoffin with Kervezee on 72 and the total 281-6. Kervezee’s knock ended when he fell at slip to a juggling catch by Sussex skipper Ed Joyce off Shahzad.

Joyce also held an edge from Jack Shantry (3) off Magoffin and Andrew was eventually bowled by Hobden for 70 after adding 57 with Sachithra Senanayake (32).

Sussex had reached eight without loss at the close.

Meanwhile, three of Worcestershire Rapids’ NatWest T20 Blast fixtures will be shown live on Sky Sports this season.

The New Road matches against Nottinghamshire Outlaws and Durham Jets will be televised on Sunday, June 7, and Sunday, July 5, respectively, along with the trip to Headingley to face Yorkshire Vikings on Tuesday, July 14.