New signing Murray Goodwin will complete his cricketing education with Sussex next season.

The 27-year-old batsman has played 19 Tests and over 71 one-day internationals for Zimbabwe and has just signed a new three-year contract with Western Australia.

But Perth-born Goodwin has always wanted to prove himself in English county cricket and is delighted Sussex have helped him to fulfill one of his big ambitions.

"I've got an agent in London and he sent faxes off to the counties," he said. "One or two of them expressed an interest, but then Sussex came in, I spoke to Dave Gilbert and I'm delighted to have got fixed up so quickly.

"It's always been an ambition of mine to play county cricket. I know quite a bit about English conditions, but you need an awful lot more to play a whole season in England, to stay fit and do consistently well which is what I will be aiming to do."

Goodwin admits he might find it hard to emulate the achievements of his predecessor Michael Bevan who scored over 2,000 runs last season before opting to miss the second year of his three-year contract in favour a much-needed break.

But Sussex have signed a proven performer whose retirement from international cricket in May, when he was seemingly at the peak of his powers, came as something as a surprise.

Goodwin made his third Test century when he took 148 off the England attack at Trent Bridge. It left him with a highly respectable Test average of 42.84 from 19 appearances. He also made over 1,800 runs in 71 one-day internationals after making his debut against Sri Lanka in 1996.

But Zimbabwe's tour was plagued by unrest over money and stories that their coach driver was being paid more than the players weren't that wide of the mark.

Goodwin wanted to prolong his international career, but the attitude of the Zimbabwe Cricket Union (ZCU) made his mind up for him.

"I was due to sign my contract with West Australia by June 30," he revealed. "Ten days before I contacted the ZCU to get an idea if the international contracts would be improved.

"But I didn't hear anything from them which I found very disappointing. As far as international cricket is concerned, the door is still open. I don't hold grudges and if the ZCU came up with a proposal I would consider it, but that is not something which is on the agenda at the moment.

"My priorities now are to have a good season with WA and then Sussex."

Goodwin is no stranger to English conditions. As well as this season's tour, he has also played club cricket here, most recently in the North Yorkshire and South Durham League with Guisborough in 1998.

And he's crossed swords with one or two of his new Sussex team-mates as well.

"Obviously I played against Chris (Adams) in the triangular one-day tournament earlier this year and I have faced Jason Lewry before when he was on an England A tour. And on the tour this year I was at a charity clay pigeon shoot with Chris and James Kirtley. That was a fun time, hopefully we can have some laughs together as a team next summer as well."

Although he was born in Salisbury (now Harare), Goodwin moved to Perth when he was 13. Raised on the fast, bouncy wickets at the WACA he's always been regarded as a ferocious cutter and puller as England's bowlers discovered to their cost when they kept pitching short to him at Trent Bridge in May.

That was his Test best score, but he regards the 113 he made against West Indies in Jamaica in March as his finest innings.

"Courtney Walsh was trying to break the record for the highest number of Test wickets and the atmosphere was absolutely awesome," remembered Goodwin.

"I was really pleased with my concentration levels in that game, there was a lot of pressure not to get out to Courtney."

Goodwin won't be facing the West Indies legend next summer, but he's relishing the challenge of taking on county attacks and helping Sussex bounce back after a disappointing season.

He added: "I know things didn't go too well this year and hopefully I can help do something about it."