Murray Goodwin is happy to carry on in his new role as Sussex's opening batsman.

The lack of established partners for Richard Montgomerie have forced the county to promote their new overseas player up the order from his normal position at No. 4.

Goodwin responded with fine innings of 94 and 42 not out in the Championship opener against Worcestershire and will continue in the role against Essex when Sussex's Benson & Hedges Cup campaign begins at Hove today at 10.45am.

There is added pressure on him to score heavily with skipper Chris Adams ruled out of the B&H campaign with a broken thumb.

Goodwin said: "I haven't done a lot of opening even in one-day cricket, but I'm happy to do anything which helps the team. If it means one of the younger guys is getting a chance down the order as well then so much the better.

"I was quite pleased with how I batted at Worcester, but there is still a lot for me to work on. Not having Chris around is a blow, but I'm sure the guys will all respond to make up for his absence."

Sussex have named a 13 man squad with Jason Lewry and Umer Rashid added to the team which lost their opening Norwich Union League match against Worcestershire on Sunday.

Sussex (from): Montgomerie, Goodwin, Zuiderent, House, Cottey, Martin-Jenkins, Prior, Yardy, Davis, Kirtley (capt), Robinson, Lewry, Rashid.