Stars of Sussex and Surrey stood in silence to remember former colleagues as the new season got underway at Hove yesterday.

The teams held their own tribute following the recent deaths of Sussex favourite Umer Rashid and Surrey star Ben Hollioake.

The simple but poignant gesture took place in front of the County Ground pavilion ahead of the counties' three-day pre-season friendly.

When action got underway, Richard Montgomerie slotted straight back into the groove with a fluent 137 as Sussex piled up 427-4.

The former Northamptonshire opener, who scored prolifically in Sussex's promotion to the first division of the championship last season, fired 20 fours and four sixes in his 164-ball innings.

Sussex, who won the toss, declared leaving Surrey an awkward 11 overs to face and new-signing Paul Hutchison removed Scott Newman for a duck as they closed on 8-1.

Montgomerie and skipper Chris Adams (74) shared in a second wicket stand of 151 after the early loss of Tim Ambrose, who was caught at extra cover off Martin Bicknell for nine.

Adams also took advantage of a boundary of only 55 yards on the pavilion side to hammer 13 fours and a six before being caught behind off Bicknell.

There was good batting practise, too, for the fit-again Tony Cottey who stroked 64 off 115 deliveries and he had helped add 97 for the third wicket when former Sussex fast bowler Ed Giddins broke through by bowling Montgomerie.

Michael Yardy and Robin Martin-Jenkins both completed half centuries before Sussex called a halt, their unbroken fifth wicket stand having realised 109 and Bicknell was the pick of Surrey's seven bowlers with 2-48 from 15 overs.

Hutchison struck an immediate blow for Sussex by trapping Newman leg before in his second over without a run on the board and, with James Kirtley also racing in from the sea end, Michael Carberry and Nadeem Shahid survived through to stumps.

A chilly wind meant that hardy spectators had to keep well wrapped up.

Players wore black arm bands in memory of Rashid and Hollioake.