sort order on custom field type "Select List" discrepancy 2.6.1 -> 3.0.1

In our JIRA 2.6.1 installation we have a custom field called "Maturity" of type "select list".

The list is entered (and ordered) as follows:

New (default)
Requires Analysis
Analysis Complete
Requires Use Case
Use Case Complete
Requires Design
Design Complete
Requires Coding
Coding Complete
Requires QA
QA Complete
Requires Documentation
Documentation Complete
Finalised

When performing a search, and this column header is clicked to sort, sort order is related to the order as shown above. (not alphanumberic on the label).

I have set up a Jira 3.0.1 installation and imported the same data. When sorting by this column, the ordering is ignored, and the sort is done alphanumerically.

The 2.6.1 behaviour was much more useful to us. Was there a good reason for this change, or did it just slip in? (you wouldn't sort priority by alphanumeric on it's label!)

thanks,