Alastair Cook rose to meet his particular challenge of recent days by scoring a second Championship hundred in as many matches, this time wearing the new-style helmet that has unexpectedly become the source of some bother
At one stage in this match, it looked as if Sussex were disappearing off into the distance over the South Downs. Building on a second significant score from opener Chris Nash, the lead at tea was 210 with seven wickets standing
Alastair Cook's exploratory first outing in a new helmet ended after five balls but that was the worst of the impermanence from Essex
There was emotion before play at Hove in a memorial for Matthew Hobden and Chris Nash followed that with a fitting innings
