KYLE HOGG provided Lancashire's only bright spot on a long hard day dominated by the Sussex captain Chris Adams at Old Trafford.

Adams, an old adversary of Lancashire from his days at Derbyshire, hit a superb unbeaten 159 to steer Sussex to 345 for seven after winning the toss and choosing to bat.

But Hogg continued his highly promising start to the season - and his Lancashire career - by picking up three for 38 in 18 accurate overs.

The 18-year-old all-rounder has already made key contributions to Lancashire's first two Championship wins over Leicestershire and Warwickshire with returns of five for 48 and three for 16.

He could not have made a better start yesterday, trapping Sussex's former Zimbabwe opener Murray Goodwin lbw with his first ball. Captain Warren Hegg switched him to the Stretford End after a spell of 5-3-2-1, and it paid off when Hogg surprised the former Glamorgan batsman Tony Cottey with an inswinger which clipped his off stump. That left Sussex on 101 for three but Adams steered them out of trouble in stands of 67 with Mike Yardy, 79 with Robin Martin-Jenkins and 51 with Matthew Prior.

The former England man, nicknamed Grizzly, has started the season in top form and has already hit three centuries. He lofted Gary Keedy for two sixes although Keedy gained some consolation by bowling Yardy and Martin-Jenkins.

But it was Hogg who returned to have Prior caught by Keedy at mid wicket off a top-edged pull.

That was his 20th wicket of the season in all cricket, a real bonus for Lancashire, and Mark Chilton also chipped in with the wicket of Kevin Innes late in the day.

But they face an uphill struggle to get back to winning ways in this match, thanks mainly to Adams.