Shan Masood of Derbyshire dominated the first day of their County Championship Division Two match against Sussex at Derby with a magnificent career-best unbroken double century.

The Pakistan opener made a superb 201 off 271 balls and set a county record third-wicket stand of 236 with Wayne Madsen, who was 88 not out at the close, against Sussex.

After lunch, an injury-depleted Sussex attack failed to take a wicket, allowing Derbyshire to finish on a commanding 327-2.

Masood had already made an impression in the first match at Lord’s last week, scoring two half-centuries and nearly missing out on a century in the first innings.

After Derbyshire won the toss and batted first on what appears to be a benign pitch, he made no mistakes this time against a largely inexperienced assault by Sussex.

The bowling, with the exception of Steven Finn, lacked the consistency to provide prolonged pressure, which Masood exploited.