Batsman Murray Goodwin is all for new experiences in his chosen profession.

But he admitted conditions in Manchester caught him very much by surprise as Sussex bowed out of the C & G Trophy this week.

Goodwin opened Sussex's innings after they had been put in by home skipper John Crawley.

That meant continual delays to the start of play, a couple of delays once they had come out for action, murky light and damp conditions. Then there was the wind, which sent bails and caps flying and made life almost dangerous for the hard-working ground staff hauling the tarpaulins on and off the outfield.

Goodwin, more used to the sunshine of Australia and Zimbawbe, admitted: "I've never experienced anything like that, it was amazing.

"When the bowlers are running in, the wind gets right in your eyes and makes it hard to concentrate on the ball.

"But it was an experience and it made us concentrate. Unfortunately we did not do as well as we should have but the conditions were pretty difficult.

"Now we have just got back to the drawing board."

Goodwin also felt the false starts to the innings hindered Sussex's rhythm. "It was difficult, we kept stopping and then having to get started again and play ourselves in and we were losing overs in doing that."

There was something of an eerie feel on both days in Manchester's impressive Test match venue as no more than a couple of hundred hardy spectators, including a few from Sussex on the first day, watched a forgettable contest.

The only real buzz came on Thursday when Mike Atherton was confirmed as temporary England captain before giving his thoughts to the assembled media and posing for pictures in the Long Room. By that time Sussex were packing their bags and heading home.

They were not the only members of the entertainment business who failed to make an impact in Manchester this week.

On the night before the game, a listener called in to a local radio station and asked to hear the latest release by Phats and Slim. A small mistake maybe, but it set the tone for a couple of bleak Sussex days up in the North West.