Ian Ward is an injury doubt for Sussex's opening home game in the Championship against Hampshire at Hove today (11am).

The former England opener dislocated a finger in his right hand during the final day of the drawn match against Surrey on Saturday.

Ward will have a fitness this morning but his chances of playing are no better than 50-50.

Director of cricket Peter Moores said: "It's still quite sore when he bats but hopefully it will have improved overnight."

If Ward does not make it Mike Yardy, fresh from his hundred at The Oval, will open the innings with Richard Montgomerie.

Hampshire are expected to play both Shane Warne and Shaun Udal and there seems every chance that Sussex will go in with two spinners as well by recalling Mark Davis.

Moores added: "I think the decision to play an extra batsman against Surrey was the right one because with the weather that was around there was always the chance that we would be able to keep the bowlers more fresh than you normally would.

"Davis gives us an extra option and he's in form. He has been bowling beautifully so far this season."

With Warne in town, Kevin Pietersen due to make his Championship debut and Billy Taylor lining up against his old county fresh from a career-best on Saturday, Hampshire's visit makes for one of the most eagerly anticipated season-openers at Hove for years.

Moores added: "The forecast looks good and I think there will be a positive result either way because it looks like being a good cricket wicket."

Sussex (probable): Ward or Ambrose, Montgomerie, Yardy, Goodwin, Adams, Prior, Martin-Jenkins, Davis, Mushtaq Ahmed, Lewry, Kirtley.

Hampshire (probable): Adams, Brown, Katich, Crawley, Pietersen, Pothas, Ervine, Ward, Udal, Tremlett, Taylor.

April 20, 2005