By Paul Grunill BBC Sport

When Murray Goodwin quit international cricket, there was nothing rash or hurried about his decision.

GOODWIN'S SUSSEX RECORD 2003 1,545 runs in 29 first-class innings, four centuries, highest score 335no 2002 1,179 runs in 28 first-class innings, five centuries, highest score 162 2001 1,654 runs in 32 first-class innings, seven centuries, highest score 203no

In turning his back on Zimbabwe after only two and a half years as a Test player to concentrate on more lucrative opportunities in England and Australia, he was calm and unflustered.

And it was the same attitude which characterised his 335 not out as Sussex clinched the County Championship for the first time in their history.

It was the highest individual score in the club's history, a feat he could barely believe.

"It is fantastic to be here, having won the Championship - just phenomenal.

"But it is really humbling to be Sussex's highest ever scorer, amazing when you think of all the great cricketers who have played for this country," he said.

Goodwin could hardly have joined the club in less auspicious circumstances.

In 2000 he was part of a Zimbabwe team beaten by England in both Tests and the final of the NatWest Series one-day competition - and in that same year Sussex finished rock bottom of Championship Division Two.

The decision to sign him paid off spectacularly well, however, as he forged a reliable opening partnership with Richard Montgomerie and the pair contributed a combined total of 13 centuries as Sussex won promotion as champions the following summer.

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Like many batsmen of short to average height - he stands 5ft 9ins - Goodwin is particularly strong on the back foot, with the cut and pull among his favourite strokes.

It is perhaps hardly surprising as he began his first-class career on express pace pitches at the Waca in Perth, his family having emigrated to Australia from Zimbabwe when he was a boy.

But Goodwin has adapted his game to suit English conditions, where front foot play is vital to combat the swinging ball.

It has brought him 4,378 first-class runs at an average of 54 in three seasons with Sussex, including 16 centuries.

Goodwin's consistency prompted the Zimbabwe Cricket Union to try and tempt him back into the fold for the World Cup earlier this year, but he wasted no time in turning them down.

The square cut is one of Goodwin's trademark shots

The 30-year-old made a relatively slow start to the 2003 season and had to wait until late July for his first three figure score in the Championship - an innings of 148 against Notts at Trent Bridge.

And the 210 against Essex and unbeaten 118 against Lancashire which followed were also made in away fixtures.

But he saved the best for a 3,000 strong crowd at Hove to witness the greatest day in Sussex cricket history.

"I said to everyone before we went out today 'I don't mean to be selfish, but I really hope I'm the one to hit the runs that win the title'.

"I wanted us all to fell like that, because that way we would be sure of making it," he said.

Goodwin's contribution on and off the field has been tremendous, according to coach Peter Moores.

"He loves his cricket, he's passionate about it. We signed him because he had a Test match average of 43.

"He's a big match player and when we've really needed a score from him, he's produced."

What more could any club ask from an overseas pro?