Murray Goodwin admits handing over the acting captaincy to Ed Joyce is the best thing for the future of Sussex.

Joyce endured a frustrating first day as stand-in skipper for Mike Yardy at Arundel as Warwickshire claimed the early initiative in their County Championship clash.

The Ireland international made a determined 73 after winning the toss and electing to bat but when he departed it sparked an alarming middle order collapse.

Sussex lost seven wickets for 61 runs and in the end it took an unbeaten 79 from Goodwin to help Sussex scramble to 251 all out before Warwickshire closed on 58-0.

Goodwin, who will continue to captain in Twenty20 cricket, said: “We don’t know what is happening with Mike so this was the best thing for the future of the club.

“I’m not sure how long I’m going to keep playing so it is important there is a contingency plan in place in case Mike is out for longer than we hope.”

Goodwin has now scored 353 runs without being dismissed as he followed up his unbeaten 274 against Yorkshire in Sussex’s last Championship match against Yorkshire four weeks ago with another fine innings.

He was left frustrated though as he watched wickets tumbling at the other and said: “The wicket is not too bad so I think we should have scored at least 300.

“It’s slow which makes it hard to score off but you have just got to adapt to it.

“It’s not easy coming into a four-day game after playing Twenty20 for three weeks but the biggest problem is guys not sticking to the game plan and finding ways to get out.”