Delray Rawlins dazzled with the bat in Sussex’s final preseason friendly against Hampshire, which ended in a draw at the Ageas Bowl last week.

The 23-year-old spent considerable time at the crease where he gathered 47 from 93 balls, which included nine boundaries, before Sussex were dismissed for 277 in 87.4 overs replying to the home side’s first-innings total of 352 for eight declared.

Rawlins impressed throughout his innings, with glorious straight drives off seamers Ian Holland and Scott Currie featured among the day’s highlights.

He seemed destined for a half-century before misjudging the length of Felix Organ’s off spin and being pinned on his crease palpably leg-before.

Tom Haines and Ben Brown topped Sussex’s batting with their second half-centuries of the week, having also achieved the feat against Surrey at the Kia Oval.

Opening bat Haines stroked 72 from 119 balls, hitting 13 boundaries and a six.

Brown, the Sussex wicketkeeper and captain, struck 50 from 66 balls, which included eight boundaries before retiring.

Mason Crane led Hampshire’s bowling attack with three for 43 while fellow spinner Liam Dawson took two for 44.

The Sussex bowlers found wickets hard to come by during the opening day’s play with the home side’s top order laying a solid foundation for their formidable total.

Tom Aslop (69), Holland (65), captain James Vince (55) and wicketkeeper Lewis McManus (55) all scored half-centuries to the lead the charge, while Dawson made 48 before the declaration.

Seamer Stuart Meaker led the Sussex attack with two for 40. Rawlins bowled ten wicketless overs of slow left-arm that cost 51 runs.

Ian Salisbury’s team will now shift their focus to their season opener in the LV= Insurance County Championship against Lancashire at Emirates Old Trafford from April 8 to 11.

The four-day fixture was moved from Sussex’s 1st Central County Ground in Hove as the outfield is not ready.

Sussex’s first home fixture in the championship will be against Yorkshire from April 22 to 25.