Durham keep championship crown

Durham wrapped up their second successive LV= County Championship title as they completed an innings victory over Nottinghamshire this afternoon.

England paceman Steve Harmison took the title-clinching wicket, removing Mark Ealham to secure an innings-and-52-run victory at Riverside. The visitors, following on, lost their final eight second-innings wickets for 160 today.

Alex Hales offered some resistance with 78 but Harmison (3-38) and Liam Plunkett (3-64) both shone as Durham took the glory.

Sussex, champions in 2006 and 2007, remain in serious relegation danger after collapsing to defeat by an innings and two runs against Warwickshire at Hove.

Former Derbyshire pair Ant Botha and Boyd Rankin shared seven wickets as the hosts crashed from their overnight 113 for three to 172 all out. Botha finished 5-51, his best figures for the county, as Warwickshire guaranteed their top-flight status for another season.

Durham celebrate back-to-back LV= County Championship Division One titles after beating Nottinghamshire by an innings

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Lancashire edged closer to safety as Mal Loye and VVS Laxman batted out the final day at Taunton to secure a draw against Somerset. The pair, who came together with the visitors in danger of defeat at 67 for two on Friday night and trailing by 146, both hit centuries as they added 247 to their unbroken stand.

Loye was unbeaten on 151 and Laxman 113 when Lancashire declared with the game safe at 314 for two.

Division Two leaders Kent closed in on the title by beating Middlesex by 10 wickets at Uxbridge after finally seeing off their former batsman Neil Dexter.

Dexter (118) hit his second century of the match as Middlesex, after following on 296 behind yesterday, at least managed to make Kent bat for a second time.

The visitors’ eventual target of 31 proved little problem however as Rob Key and Sam Northeast guided them home.

Struggling Surrey frustrated promotion-chasing Northamptonshire as they held on for a draw at The Oval.

Northants were unable to prise out tailenders Alex Tudor and James Anyon and eventually settled for a share of the spoils when Surrey declared on 282 for nine in their second innings, a lead of 166. Matt Spriegel also played his part in the defiance with a crucial 56.

A career-best 6-91 from Dean Cosker and 89 not out from captain Jamie Dalrymple put Glamorgan in a strong position at the end of the third day of their clash with Essex at Cardiff.

Cosker shone after Glamorgan were bowled out for 311, his wickets helping his side claim a first-innings lead by bowling out the visitors for 288 despite 90 from Mark Pettini.

The Welsh side were then 279 for nine second time round, leading by 302 going into the last day.