Murray Goodwin hits triple century to put Sussex against Somerset

It was a day of records, if nothing else, at Taunton on Thursday as the focus of attention turned away from Somerset captain Justin Langer and on to Sussex batsman Murray Goodwin.

Whereas day one had been dominated by an unnecessary altercation between Langer and a small section of the Somerset membership, day two was all about the batting exploits of Goodwin and his county.

However, after that cameo, Goodwin took over. The Zimbabwean, who came into the match with a modest 282 championship runs this season, left Somerset chasing leather in a two-session run-fest that brought 416 runs in 67 overs.

Furthermore, his 344 not out was not only a career best, but the sixth-highest individual score in the history of the championship.

Having secured his first century of the season and looking well set alongside Carl Hopkinson, Goodwin brought up his seventh double hundred for the county off 254 balls and duly passed 300 with one of 43 fours. There were also six sixes to boot.

On two separate occasions, the 36 year-old threatened the ice-cream van at the old pavilion end before three successive sixes off the bowling of leg-spinner Max Waller sent those at the opposite end of the ground scurrying for an early lunch.

After that, the pair recorded a record fourth-wicket stand for the county of 363 before Hopkinson, whose career-best 139 included 17 fours and two sixes, was bowled by the gentle turn of Arul Suppiah.

Together they helped Sussex to their highest-ever total in all forms of cricket before captain Michael Yardy finally declared at tea on 742 for five.