Bond scythes through Sussex

Shane Bond's pace proved too much for Sussex's middle order at the Rose Bowl

Murray Goodwin’s 53rd first-class hundred steered LV county champions Sussex to an encouraging start in defence of their title, until they were halted by a memorable Hampshire debut for Shane Bond.

Goodwin (121) underpinned Sussex’s 332 all out on an intriguing first day of the new season at the Rose Bowl, which also witnessed a career-best return of 7-66 from former New Zealand Test bowler Bond.

His irresistible burst of five wickets for five runs in 17 deliveries with the second new ball made a nonsense of the batsmen’s previously serene progress.

But the suspicion was that Goodwin’s century, with 17 fours from 184 balls, made it advantage Sussex, Bond’s heroics notwithstanding.

There was swing available to the new ball in sunny conditions this morning, but nothing in Bond’s initial spell suggested what was to follow several hours later.

Instead, Sussex’s tried-and-tested formula - winning the toss and setting their sights on a match-controlling total - soon appeared to be up and running.

It seemed likely Bond’s first casualty might be Chris Nash, who suffered a painful blow on his wrist as he tried to pull the fast bowler.

After medical attention, however, he was able to continue - and it was his opening partner Carl Hopkinson who was to pay for a touch of over ambition when he was bowled trying to drive in Bond’s next over.

Michael Yardy therefore joined Nash, and the second-wicket pair were untroubled in a 73-run stand during which the opener in particular convinced with some fluent driving.

It took 20 overs for Hampshire to find the breakthrough, first change James Tomlinson eventually doing the trick when he had Nash playing slightly away from his body and edging low to second slip - where Jimmy Adams took a smart catch away to his left to see the opener off three runs short of his 50.

Goodwin was unruffled as Sussex began well in defence of their County Championship

Yardy then went in Bond’s first over after lunch, mistiming a hook shot into the hands of long-leg.

Captain Chris Adams came and went in the afternoon, taking on Bond with some crunching off-side shots but then unable to deal with a lifting delivery from Tomlinson which had him caught behind to end a 91-run partnership.

There was enough in the pitch to suggest Sussex were bagging plenty of runs, the undemonstrative but free-scoring Goodwin largely responsible with some trademark sweet timing - especially off the back foot.

He went to his hundred with successive boundaries off Tomlinson, a pull and then a cut - and in Matt Prior (62), he found an attacking ally as runs continued to arrive freely in a century stand.

The complexion of proceedings changed dramatically, though, midway through the evening session - when Bond got his hands on the second new ball.

Prior, who had impressed with his strokeplay, was undone by a length delivery which perhaps kept a little low and pinned him lbw pushing forward.

The remainder of Sussex’s powerful-looking middle and lower order was blown away by Bond - who had rising star Luke Wright edging to first slip for a fifth-ball duck and quickly saw off Robin Martin-Jenkins, Ragheb Aga and finally Mushtaq Ahmed.

The odd man out was Goodwin, who was ninth out to an ugly swish across the line and caught behind off Chris Tremlett. It was a shot which did the cultured Zimbabwean no justice, but there was plenty of mitigation as he rapidly ran out of partners.

Sussex’s capitulation - they lost their last six wickets for 15 runs - allowed time for four overs of batting for Hampshire, which proved too much for England Lions’ opener Michael Carberry, who was lbw to Martin-Jenkins for two.

Sussex confirmed that Ryan Harris was withdrawn from the match following media speculation that he has signed a three-year contract with Queensland Bulls.

Sussex have registered him to play county cricket for Sussex this season based on him qualifying through holding a British passport and meeting current ECB regulations.

However Sussex are now seeking clarification on what basis he may have signed for Queensland Bulls for the next three years.

Sussex chief executive Gus Mackay said: “Naturally it is disappointing that Ryan was withdrawn minutes before the start of play.

“We are currently working with the relevant authorities and their lawyers in the hope of resolving the situation.”