GARY Ballance brought up his 7,000th first-class run as Yorkshire made an encouraging start to their final LV= County Championship match of the season against Sussex today.

The England international survived an edge that narrowly avoided Ed Joyce at first slip to reach the landmark at Headingley as the champions began their pursuit of a record-breaking 11th win of the season.

After the Tykes had lost the toss and been invited to bat, both teams and supporters joined in a minute’s applause to commemorate the life of former Yorkshire and England batsman Brian Close before Adam Lyth fell in just the fourth over of the day.

The left-hander was adjudged lbw to Chris Jordan for just three before Alex Lees and Gary Ballance shared in a stand of 52 for the second wicket.

Lees eventually departed for 29 as he was leg before to Lewis Hatchett, but Ballance (38no) and Gale (31no) held firm through till lunch to leave the hosts on 106-2.