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Newly-promoted Sussex were put to the sword by Surrey's batsmen, with Ali Brown and Nadeem Shahid helping themselves to unbeaten centuries.

Alec Stewart did his England cause no harm with a sparkling knock but was dismissed one run short of his century as Surrey racked up a huge score of 461-4 on day one.

Stewart hit 18 boundaries in his three hours at the crease, the wicketkeeper putting on 143 runs with fellow England hopeful Mark Ramprakash (56) for the third wicket.

But any hopes Sussex had of tucking into the Surrey middle-order were dashed by free-scoring pair Brown and Shahid, as Stewart was the last batsman to fall.

Brown's unbeaten 132 includes 22 boundaries and two sixes, while Shahid hit the fence 20 times en route to the same score.

Sussex had the best of the opening exchanges, with wickets to James Kirtley leaving Surrey on 33-2 before the tide turned.

Surrey chairman Mike Sopor was glowing in his praise for Stewart.

"Alec proved once again the sort of player he is," Sopor said.

"I realised just how good Alec was four or five years ago when he had been dropped from the England side and went out to bat in the Sunday League for us.

"He went out and hit a ton, and that showed the measure of the man."

Surrey: M A Butcher (Capt), I J Ward, A J Stewart (Wkt) M R Ramprakash, A D Brown, N Shahid, Azhar Mahmood, M P Bicknell, I D K Salisbury, A J Tudor, J Ormond.

Sussex: R R Montgomerie, M W Goodwin, C J Adams (Capt), P A Cottey, M H Yardy, R S C Martin-Jenkins, M J Prior (Wkt), M J G Davis, J D Lewry, P M Hutchison, R J Kirtley.