Mike Yardy top-scored with 69 for Sussex as they were bowled out for 295 on the opening day of action in their Championship tussle against Surrey.

Several batsmen got starts as the hosts were put into bat under grey skies after yesterday’s play was washed out.

Chris Jordan was last man out for a valuable 41, by now in glorious sunshine, and his late flourish ensured Sussex had some of platform in what is now a three-day match on a slow pitch at Arundel.

Yardy was a reassuringly steady presence as he faced 143 balls and hit ten fours before being lbw to a fuller-pitched delivery from Zander de Bruyn.

Chis Nash (32) and Ed Joyce (36) looked in decent touch until being caught at cover and by the bowler respectively.

By contrast Matt Prior (38) was never really at his fluent best.

He was dropped twice in the deep before his sweep was cleverly picked up by Gary Wilson as he moved quickly from slip to leg slip.

Luke Wright added 41 before being well held above his head by Ricky Ponting in the slips off Chris Tremlett.

Tim Linley ended the innings by bowling Jordan to finish with figures of 4-68.

That left Surrey with four overs to face before closing on 1-0.