Goodwin agrees deal with Sussex

Murray Goodwin will return to Hove in 2004, ending months of speculation over who would be Sussex's second overseas player alongside Mushtaq Ahmed.

Goodwin's future was uncertain when talks stalled over the length of the contract Sussex were prepared to offer. Gary Kirsten was close to signing, but he told the county last week that business offers outside the game meant that he had to turn down the offer.

It has been a busy winter for the county champions. They have signed Ian Ward, Mohammad Akram, Jason Voros and Luke Wright, and disposed of Bas Zuiderent, Billy Taylor, Paul Hutchison and Shaun Rashid.