Sussex were in the driving seat at the close on the first day against Australia after rattling up 355-4 declared from 81 overs before reducing the tourists to 19-2 by stumps.

The county's prolific opening pair Richard Montgomerie and Murray Goodwin both scored hundreds and then Billy Taylor made early inroads into Australia's batting by removing Justin Langer and Ricky Ponting.

Sussex's openers put on 202 after the county had been put in by Adam Gilchrist; their third partnership of over 200 this season.

Goodwin was stumped off Simon Katich after making 105 including 17 boundaries, most of them thumped with power and timing through the off side.

It was the Zimbabwean's sixth century of the season, but Montgomerie went one better and passed 2,000 runs in all cricket when he reached his seventh century.

He eventually fell for 157, caught at slip off Damian Fleming with the second new ball. It was overdue reward for Fleming who saw Montgomerie dropped by reserve 'keeper Wade Seccombe in the second over when he'd made just one.

Acting captain Adam Gilchrist's bowling options were reduced when Ashley Noffke had to be carried off with a sore ankle after he'd trodden on the ball in his ninth over. The luckless Noffke had earlier spilled Montgomerie on 32 when he top-edged a hook off Brett Lee down to fine leg.

Sussex skipper Chris Adams chipped in with an unbeaten 66 and his enterprising declaration soon paid dividends.

Taylor ensured Langer's miserable tour continued when he trapped him lbw on the back leg and in his next over Ponting flicked the ball off his legs straight to Montgomerie at square leg.

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