Skipper Chris Adams fired 91 from only 79 balls before Sussex's fifth pre-season friendly against Surrey was ruined by rain at Hove.

Adams helped his side to a competitive 259-6 in the 50-overs game but rain prevented Surrey from making a reply.

The Sussex captain missed out on his century by lofting a delivery from Rikki Clarke to deep extra cover having compiled seven fours and three sixes from his fluent knock.

Richard Montgomerie, opening the innings for the second time in five friendlies with Neil Turk, had got his side off to a sound start with a stand of 70.

Turk fell to Neil Saker for 23 and Montgomerie, after stroking seven fours and a six in making 61 from 84 deliveries, later holed out at mid-wicket off James Benning.

After Chris Nash went leg before to former Sussex leg spinner Ian Salisbury for ten, Adams and Robin Martin-Jenkins (22) confidently pushed their side past the 200-mark with a fourth-wicket partnership of 67.

On a windy, cold and cheerless day the players were fortified with hot drinks later in the innings and there was never any chance of a start being made to the Surrey reply once the rain started during the interval.