Sussex duo fall short

Murray Goodwin went close to three figures for Sussex

Carl Hopkinson and Murray Goodwin both narrowly missed out on making centuries but defending LV County Champions Sussex nonetheless enjoyed a satisfying day to take control of their clash against Surrey.

Visiting captain Mark Butcher boldly put Sussex in after winning the toss as play began promptly after a first day washout.

But it proved hard going for his bowlers on a slow unresponsive pitch as Sussex reached 318 for five from 96 overs.

Opener Hopkinson, whose 97 came in five hours with 10 fours, shared in a third-wicket stand of 126 in 34 overs with Goodwin, who fell just before stumps for 98.

The 26-year-old Hopkinson, in his 69th first class innings, looked set for his elusive maiden hundred until falling victim to left-arm spinner Usman Afzaal - who only claimed one wicket last season.

It was agony for Hopkinson as he gave a shin height return catch to Afzaal after using his feet and slamming a full toss down the pitch.

The veteran Goodwin was well on course to register his 35th century for Sussex before he followed a delivery from Australian pace bowler Matt Nicholson and edged a straightforward catch to wicketkeeper Jonathan Batty.

Saqlain Mushtaq tests Sussex on day two

On a sunny but fresh day Sussex lost Chris Nash in the last over before lunch after he had added 87 in 30.3 overs with Hopkinson.

Left-arm pace bowler Pedro Collins made the breakthrough by bowling Nash as he attempted to pull and played on for 46.

Former Pakistani Test off-spinner Saqlain Mushtaq, part of Sussex's title-winning team last season, struck to remove Mike Yardy in the 10th over after lunch.

Umpire Neil Mallender checked with colleague Richard Kettleborough before confirming the dismissal after an attempted sweep by Yardy came off his boot and looped to slip.

Former Zimbabwe star Goodwin opened his account confidently by square-driving his first ball from Saqlain to the boundary before Hopkinson completed his half-century from 137 deliveries with five fours.

Goodwin took Sussex past 200 in style shortly after tea by crashing a delivery from Nicholson to the cover boundary, and his half-century arrived from 80 deliveries with six fours.

Skipper Chris Adams quickly eased into his stride and struck opening bowler Collins to the cover boundary when the new ball was taken.

Adams had reached 28 and put on a fluent 37 in 10 overs for the fourth wicket with Goodwin when he became a second victim for Collins being pinned in front for 28.