ED Joyce’s second one-day century in a week against Durham left them chasing a target of more than 300 for the second successive day.

The Irish left-hander, who joined Sussex from Middlesex over the winter, made nought and three in last week’s championship match between the sides at Hove. But he followed his 103 not out in last Monday’s Friends Provident Trophy tie at Riverside with 127 in the return fixture.

As at Bristol on Sunday, when Gloucestershire made 301 for eight, Durham lost the toss and were unable to stem the flow of runs on a good pitch.

They made a better start, with Liam Plunkett’s opening three overs costing only four runs, but his next two went for 17 as Joyce and Joe Gatting began to open up.

They followed their stand of 117 at Riverside last Monday by putting on 110 this time before Gatting edged Ian Blackwell to Phil Mustard immediately after reaching 50 off 60 balls.

Joyce hit two sixes in his 110-ball century as Sussex amassed 313 for six. It was the same total they had managed the previous day against Surrey, when they won by only two runs.

Steve Harmison's struggles continued in three two-over spells. The first cost 15 and the second 25 before he slightly redeemed himself by bowling Rory Hamilton-Brown and conceding 11 runs when brought back for two overs at the end.

There were two wickets each for Blackwell and Mitch Claydon.