Somerset crowned champions

Somerset captain Justin Langer celebrates winning the Second Division title at Chelmsford

Already-promoted Somerset clinched the LV County Championship Division Two title after wrapping up a six-wicket win over Essex with more than five sessions to spare at Chelmsford.

South African Neil McKenzie hit the winning boundary to finish unbeaten on 33 as the visitors, who resumed day three on 50 for one, overhauled a target of 182.

Peter Trego hit 44 off 30 balls, while Neil Edwards (35) and James Hildreth (32 not out) helped complete the job.

Sussex gave their Division One title hopes a major boost by demolishing fellow rivals Yorkshire at Hove to overtake the leaders.

The home side wrapped up victory by an innings and 261 runs inside three days after bowling out Yorkshire in their second innings for 89 having enforced the follow-on.

Pakistan Test star Rana Naved-ul-Hasan claimed four for 15, after Yorkshire has been dismissed for 247 as they struggled to get close to Sussex's imposing 597 first-innings total.

Shane Warne, meanwhile, celebrated his return from injury after bowling Hampshire back into the title race.

Shane Warne's five wickets carried Hampshire to victory

The Australia legend claimed five for 68 to wrap up a 294-run win on the final day at already-relegated Worcestershire.

Resuming day four on 158 for four, 373 runs behind, the hosts were skittled for 237 before lunch with Ben Smith unable to bat because of a broken right index finger.

Lancashire raced to a seven-wicket victory over Durham at Blackpool inside two days in a match which is likely to come under scrutiny from pitch inspectors.

After 18 wickets fell on Thursday, the hosts only managed a 17-run advantage in their first innings after being dismissed for 183.

However, Durham were then bowled out for 185 - Sajid Mahmood claiming 4-51 as only Dale Benkenstein made a significant contribution with 77.

Stuart Law (82no) and VVS Laxman (55no) shared an unbroken stand of 125 to see Lancashire home and maintain their interest in the title race

Surrey hold a 59-run advantage over Warwickshire on first innings with two wickets remaining after reaching 344 for eight on the second day at Edgbaston.

Resuming on 41 for one, Mark Ramprakash proved the mainstay with 175 as the next highest scorer was James Benning with 44.

Ottis Gibson returned fine figures of 8-68 for Durham

Elsewhere in Division Two Middlesex routed Gloucestershire at Bristol by an innings and 89 runs as Steven Finn claimed four for 51.

Resuming on 94 for three in their second innings, Gloucestershire were skittled for 199 with only Grant Hodnett (55) making any impact as the visitors moved into third place in the table.

Second placed Nottinghamshire turned the screw at Chesterfield where Derbyshire trail by 201 runs with seven second innings wickets remaining.

Having been bowled out for 205 in reply to the visitors’ 548 for nine declared thanks to captain Stephen Fleming’s 243, the Kiwi then enforced the follow-on and saw Derbyshire reach 142 for three at stumps.

Leicestershire require another 389 runs with seven wickets remaining having been set an improbable 534 to beat Northamptonshire at Grace Road.

The visitors declared their second innings on 459 for six after David Sales (187no) and Niall O’Brien (109) and Leicestershire were soon in trouble at 90 for three before Paul Nixon (36no) and Jim Allenby (25no) restored some stability.

Somerset players and staff savour their triumph