Gutsy Goodwin stifles Lancashire attack

2:30pm Wednesday 2nd July 2008

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LANCASHIRE were left frustrated by Murray Goodwin as title-holders Sussex pegged the Red Rose county back at Hove in their LV County Championship match yesterday.

Goodwin’s patience and poise kept Sussex battling to avoid a second successive home defeat as Lancashire established a 139-run first innings lead and then claimed six wickets on the third day.

Goodwin passed 10,000 career runs on his way to making 50 in 104 balls and was undefeated on 77 after more than three hours at the crease as Sussex reached 223-6 at stumps – just 84 ahead.

The Zimbabwean displayed splendid resistance to give Sussex hope of escape with heavy rain forecast for today, although Lancashire are still clear favourites to record only their second championship win of the season.

He ploughed on after losing Carl Hopkinson and Robin Martin-Jenkins – the Sussex first innings saviour with 70 – in quick succession in the final session, although it took Steven Croft’s spectacular diving catch at point to dismiss the latter for a streaky 13.

Even England all-rounder Andrew Flintoff, brought back for his third, wicketless spell, could not remove Goodwin or Ollie Rayner (nine).

But at 197-6, Sussex looked certain to succumb to the Lancashire attack and go down to the side they pipped on the final day of the campaign to retain the title last year.

Flintoff, who is still hoping to be selected tomorrow for an England comeback against South Africa next week despite recent injuries and poor form, got through 19 overs, in addition to his 15 in the first innings, for figures of 0-43.