Murray Goodwin batted all day to put Sussex in command against leaders Hampshire, but then admitted: "It wasn't one of my most fluent innings."

The 29-year-old Zimbabwean was undefeated on 131 at the close as the county reached 290-4 against the second division's surprise table-toppers after day one of the Championship match at the Rosebowl.

Goodwin helped Richard Montgomerie post Sussex's first hundred partnership for the first wicket in exactly a year before going on to his maiden Championship ton.

He admitted: "It was hard work. I wasn't timing the ball well and it was quite a difficult wicket to bat on. It wasn't one of my most fluent hundreds at all so I'm quite pleased with the way I stuck at it."

Hampshire were left to rue their decision to only play four bowlers although Goodwin thinks there is something in the wicket for the seamers.

"It wasn't a wicket where you ever felt you were on top of the bowling and to be honest they bowled quite well," he added.

"It sounds daft, but you never felt you were in and even though it was hard to score runs you could keep the good ball out."

There had been speculation that Goodwin might drop down the order to regain some form after making just 15 runs in his four previous Championship innings, but he answered any critics in the best way possible.

"I felt in pretty good nick, but I played a poor shot in the first innings against Warwickshire last week and in the second innings I got a ball which kept a bit low," he said.

"So to open the batting and bat right through was great. Obviously to put on such a solid opening partnership with Monty makes a big difference and hopefully we can build on what we have achieved today."