Matt Prior warmed up for the new season with a sparkling hundred yesterday.

The 25-year-old Sussex wicketkeeper-batsmen is hoping to force his way back into the England side this summer and his 102 off just 75 balls in the friendly win over Surrey at Hove yesterday will be a tremendous confidence boost.

Prior took advantage of short boundaries to hit seven sixes and five fours, adding 112 for the fifth wicket with skipper Chris Adams, who made 52 off 43 deliveries.

Sussex piled up 323-6 against their old rivals from 50 overs with Chris Nash, who put on 73 for the first wicket with Carl Hopkinson, scoring 78 with nine fours and a six.

Surrey finished on 298-8 in reply with Saqlain Mushtaq taking 3-43 against his old county and James Kirtley 4-64, including the wicket of top scorer James Benning (88).

Coach Mark Robinson said: "Matt did really well and all the batsmen got time in the middle. It was another good workout."

Murray Goodwin returns to Hove today and Mushtaq Ahmed tomorrow and both are expected to face MCC at Lord's on Friday in Sussex's final friendly before the start of the Championship defence against Kent at Hove next Wednesday.

Rana Naved is back on Friday but will not play at Lord's.