Goodwin ton guides Sussex
Sussex veteran Murray Goodwin hit his fourth County Championship hundred of the summer as the visitors reached 312 for 6 on day one against Nottinghamshire
12-Sep-2011
Sussex veteran Murray Goodwin hit his fourth County Championship hundred of the summer as the visitors reached 312 for 6 on day one against Nottinghamshire. The 38-year-old hit 14 fours from 241 balls and shared in century partnerships with Ed Joyce (63) and 20-year-old Matt Machan, who struck an accomplished 71 on his championship debut.
Goodwin had reached 117 not out at the close in the sixth century of his career against Nottinghamshire, in what had so far been a chanceless innings. Seamer Charlie Shreck, making his farewell appearance for Nottinghamshire having agreed to move to Kent at the end of the season, picked up two wickets, while Andre Adams claimed 3 for 79 to bring his haul for the campaign to 65.
With both sides safe from relegation and out of the title reckoning, there was a distinct end-of-season feel to some of the early play, as bowlers and batsmen struggled to contend with a strong, blustery cross-wind. Shreck made the breakthrough in the ninth over of the day when Chris Nash was lbw to a full inswinging delivery, while Adams removed Joe Gatting's off-stump in the next over.
Joyce and Goodwin profited from several half-volleys to drive through the covers as they reached lunch without further alarm. There was minor controversy soon after the interval when Joyce refused to walk having apparently edged Adams to Alex Hales at first slip when on 49, with umpires Tim Robinson and Rob Bailey conferring before giving the batsman the benefit of the doubt.
Adams did get his man eight overs later with a sharp low catch by Steven Mullaney at second slip, Joyce having hit eight boundaries from 134 balls. Sussex captain Mike Yardy survived a big lbw shout first ball and went on to make 29, falling just before tea by edging Luke Fletcher to Chris Read.
Youngster Machan had been given the ideal opportunity in which to make his maiden championship appearance and batted with confidence, coming down the track to spinner Graeme White and punching several neat boundaries through the off side. Having dominated a fifth-wicket partnership of 114 in 30 overs with Goodwin, the left-handed Machan eventually fell to the new ball as Adams leapt high at third slip for a catch off Shreck.
Ben Brown was then unfortunate to play on to Adams, the ball trickling onto the stumps after the right-hander had tried to play a short ball off his ribs.
