FRIENDLY: Nash hits half-century for Sussex as friendlies get underway at Hove

Sussex and Surrey managed to play out almost a full day's cricket at The 1st Central County Ground today, following the abandonment of the opening day of their friendly match yesterday, with both sides getting in some vital preparation for the 2016 season begins in earnest.

Heavy rain and strong winds had ensured there was no play on Easter Monday at Hove but there was little sign of poor weather on Tuesday morning, and it was only with 10 overs remaining in the day that play was called to a halt due to bad light.

Sussex had won the toss and elected to bowl as it was decided that both sides would bat for 48 overs each. Surrey scored 162 for 4 from their allotted overs, with four batsman all retiring out; Rory Burns (43), Arun Harinath (36), Steven Davies (19), and Dominic Sibley (28) all batted whilst Ben Foakes (9) and Gary Wilson (24) were the not out batsmen at the end of the innings.

Steve Magoffin, Ajmal Shahzad, Lewis Hatchett, Luke Wells and for the first time in Sussex colours, Danny Briggs, all got overs under their belt in preparation for the season.

Sussex were led by Chris Nash when they took to the crease in reply who made 65, with Ed Joyce (13), Matt Machan (0) and Harry Finch (23) the other wickets to fall. Luke Wells (37) and Ollie Robinson (29) were both unbeaten when play was abandoned for the day, 10 overs short of Sussex's allotted amount of 48 as the hosts closed on 178 for 4.