Murray Goodwin carries Sussex effort

Sussex 188 for 4 v Worcestershire 464
Scorecard

Murray Goodwin eased to his second hundred of the season as Sussex fought back on the second day of their County Championship Division Two game against Worcestershire at Hove. The 37-year-old made an unbeaten 109 as Sussex closed on 188 for 4, having bowled out Worcestershire an hour after lunch for 464.

Sussex were in trouble when Richard Jones nipped out Michael Thornely and Chris Nash in successive overs of his new-ball spell. The impressive Jones was rewarded for bowling a full length and allowing the ball to swing as Thornely was well taken by wicketkeeper Ben Scott, while Nash gave a return catch to a ball which straightened on him to leave Sussex 13 for 2.

However, once Goodwin and Ed Joyce had battled through the new ball, batting became relatively easy on a slow pitch lacking pace and bounce. Goodwin was soon going through the gears and reached the 61st first-class hundred of his career six overs before the close off 110 balls when he cut Gareth Andrew for his 16th boundary. He also struck two sixes off Alan Richardson and Moeen Ali.

Joyce did a solid job in the supporting role, contributing 67 - his first half-century of the season - to a third-wicket stand of 169 when he became left-arm spinner Shaaiq Choudhry's maiden first-class victim when he edged to slip. Nightwatchman Monty Panesar lasted only six balls before giving Jones a return catch, but Goodwin and skipper Mike Yardy negotiated the last four overs to see Sussex to stumps.

Earlier, Worcestershire wicketkeeper Ben Scott had fallen agonisingly short of what would have been his first hundred for nearly two years. Scott, who is on loan at New Road from Middlesex, was on 98 when he took on Nash's arm as he ran in from deep square-leg looking for a second run, but was beaten by a direct hit.

Scott only had last man Alan Richardson for company but it seemed an unnecessary risk to take as Richardson had survived 16 balls without alarm.

Worcestershire had resumed on 302 for 6 and Scott and Choudhry nearly batted through the morning session together as they extended their overnight stand to 143 in 50 overs. Choudhry celebrated his maiden Championship appearance with a well-constructed 63, which featured nine fours and a six, before he was trapped in front by Panesar's arm ball in the last over before lunch.

An unresponsive pitch was hard work for Sussex's seam attack but they plugged away to wrap up the tail in nine overs after lunch. Gareth Andrew was lbw working across the line while a fuller delivery from Yasir Arafat was too good for Jones.