Derbyshire 290 (Madsen 138, Carson 5-90) and 141 for 2 (Came 54*) trail Sussex 607 for 8 dec by 176 runs

Sussex go into the final day of their Vitality County Championship match against Derbyshire as clear favourites to extend their lead at the top of Division Two with their sixth victory of the season.

But some resolute batting by the Derbyshire batters second time round has given them an outside chance of saving the game. In their first innings Derbyshire had been 24 for 4 in reply to the massive Sussex score of 607 for 7 declared. But after being asked to follow on, 317 runs behind, they ended the third day on 141 for 2, still 176 in arrears.

Zak Chappell was first out, lbw to Carson for 25 as he attempted to slog-sweep, having added 54 with Madsen. Jack Morley was less obdurate, losing his middle stump to one that turned sharply from Carson for a seven-ball duck. But Madsen found another ally in Daryn Dupavillon, the pair adding 47 for the ninth wicket.

Madsen decided to take the attack to Carson, hitting him for 16 from three deliveries, with successive leg-side sixes, before hoisting the bowler to deep midwicket. Dupavillon was last out, having hit three fours and two sixes in his 54-ball 28. He was bowled by Henry Crocombe, and wicketkeeper Simpson had to take evasive action as the ball ricocheted off the stumps.