Richard Montgomerie and Murray Goodwin launched the Sussex innings in style on the opening of the Horsham Festival.

The pair posted a first wicket stand of 87 in 21 overs after skipper Chris Adams had won an important toss against Nottinghamshire.

The visitors' new ball attack lacked menace and the Sussex openers were able to match each other virtually shot for shot during the first hour.

As is always the case at Horsham, there were plenty of involuntary edges to the vacant third man region early on but there was nothing streaky about the way Goodwin eased Andy Harris through extra cover for successive boundaries in the 12th over to bring up Sussex's 50 after just 40 minutes.

Notts skipper Jason Gallian brought himself on in the 14th over as part of a double bowling change but it did little initially to check Sussex's progress.

Montgomerie, who has scored hundreds in his last two Championship games at Cricketfield Road, swatted Steve Elworthy through square off the back foot when he replaced fellow South African Greg Smith at the Railway End in the 17th over.

But Elworthy made the breakthrough in the 21st over when Goodwin chased a ball well outside off stump and edged to third slip where Kevin Pietersen pouched a comfortable, waist-high catch.

The way Goodwin thumped his bats into his pads as he made his way back to the pavilion suggested it was a delivery he ought to have left well alone.

Sussex sprang a surprise before the start when they left out Jason Lewry.

Billy Taylor came in to make his first Championship appearance of the season and Kevin Innes was recalled while both spinners were selected.

Director of cricket Peter Moores said: "It was a tough call but Kevin and Billy were our best bowlers at the weekend and deserve their chance.

"Jason has lost a bit of rhythm in the last couple of weeks so this gives him an opportunity to get some decent practice in and put himself in the frame for next week."

Sussex: 129 for 1 (36 overs)