Sussex dismissed openers Jonathan Batty and Ian Ward after winning the toss and sending Championship leaders Surrey in at Hove.

Batty was run out for 16 after Ward called for a quick single off Robin Martin-Jenkins.

Kevin Innes, at cover, threw down the stumps at the striker's end to make the initial breakthrough after the opening pair had put on 29 in 12 overs.

The left-handed Ward achieved the bulk of the early scoring and went on the attack to hammer Billy Taylor wide of gully for four in his first over after replacing Martin-Jenkins.

Mark Ramprakash cover drove first change Innes to the fence before Ward, fresh from scoring two championship hundreds in his last three innings, pulled Taylor for four over square leg.

Ward was closing in on 1,000 championship runs and Ramprakash, taking no early chances, went into double figures by pushing Taylor for a single.

Sussex, who had James Kirtley playing in his first championship match since mid-June, achieved further success when Taylor pinned Ward in front on 28 with a ball which nipped back.

Surrey had lost both their openers for 60.