Don Trangmar has resigned as chairman of Sussex.

He stepped down at last night's committee meeting at Hove, citing personal reasons.

His replacement is 54-year-old David Green, a semi-retired businessman who has been on the committee for four years and is in charge of the long-term development of the County Ground. He was elected unopposed.

Trangmar, 61, who has been in the top job at Hove for four years, will continue to serve on the committee.

Green was keen to stress that it was business as usual as he settled into his new job today.

He said: "Don told us last night that he wasn't seeking re-election which came as a bit of a surprise to everyone.

"He is going to stay on the committee for another three years and see his time out which we are delighted about.

"We are sorry that he has had to make this decision, but we entirely understand the reasons why.

"Everything will continue at the club as it did before."

Trangmar, who was not available for comment today, succeeded Robin Marlar in 1998. He had been elected onto the committee a year earlier after the county's old regime was overthrown by a group led by Marlar and another former Sussex player Tony Pigott.

During four years in charge Trangmar oversaw major changes at Hove, both on and off the field and, in his work for the ECB, he played a key role in the introduction of central contracts for England players.

Since last September, when former chief executive Dave Gilbert left to take up a new role with the New South Wales Cricket Association, he has had a more hands-on role at the club. Gilbert's replacement Nigel Russell is due to start his new job in July.

Green has considerable business experience. He owns Glossbrook Construction, a building and development company, and Cabana who manufacture minerals and soft drinks.

A member of the club for 15 years and supporter for 30 years, his son Jeremy is a member of the ECB Academy which was set up at Hove last November.

On the pitch, Sussex's openers Richard Montgomerie and Murray Goodwin made a cracking start to the opening home Championship match against Somerset today.

The pair rattled along at nearly five runs an over as they took full toll of a wayard Somerset attack without Andy Caddick who is resting ahead of the international season.

Goodwin raced to his half-century off just 45 balls, hitting ten boundaries and pulling a long hop from Richard Johnson through mid-wicket for six.

Johnson's first three overs cost 24 runs and he was soon out of the attack before returning at the sea end.

Sussex had won the toss and Chris Adams had no hesitation in batting first even though there was enough moisture early on in the overcast atmosphere to interest the bowlers.

Goodwin rocked on to the back foot to hammer Johnson through the covers to bring up Sussex's 100 in the 18th over and Montgomerie was no less ruthless on anything loose, particularly when he hammered Matt Bulbeck with minimum backlift to long on for another boundary.

The partnership was worth 102 when Somerset made a much-needed breakthrough in the 19th over when Montgomerie was drawn forward by Steffan Jones and the edge flew to second slip where Keith Dutch took a good catch.

Sussex First Innings Montgomerie c Dutch b Jones 37 Goodwin not out 82 Adams b Bulbeck 8 Cottey not out 12 Extras 11 Total 2 wkts (32 overs) 150 Fall: 1-102, 2-126