Openers Richard Montgomerie and Murray Goodwin both scored centuries as Sussex made a blazing start to their match against Hampshire.

After being sent in by the visitors, Sussex filled their boots to reach 399 for three when stumps were drawn.

Montgomerie remained undefeated on 168 and will be eyeing a double ton when play resumes, while Goodwin was in equally good form in making 119.

The pair put on 193 for the first wicket, and Goodwin was the dominant partner before Dimitri Mascarenhas trapped him lbw to end a knock that included 18 fours and two sixes.

Tony Cottey, marking his 250th first-class appearance, failed to produce a celebratory knock and was caught off Neil Johnson for 28.

Skipper Chris Adams contributed 34 to an 85-run stand before falling caught and bowled to Shaun Udal.

All the while Montgomerie carried on with his superb strokeplay, striking 27 boundaries and having another prolific run-scorer in Tim Ambrose unbeaten on 21 at the other end.

Sussex: R R Montgomerie, M W Goodwin, P A Cottey, C J Adams (Capt), T R Ambrose, R S C Martin-Jenkins, M J Prior (Wkt), K J Innes, M J G Davis, R J Kirtley, B V Taylor.

Hampshire: J S Laney, N C Johnson, J H K Adams, R A Smith (Capt), J D Francis, W S Kendall, N Pothas (Wkt), A D Mascarenhas, S D Udal, A D Mullally, J A Tomlinson.

Umpires: V A Holder and B Leadbeater