Warwickshire leave Sussex on the brink

Ant Botha claimed five of Sussex's seven remaining wickets, as Warwickshire preserved their first-division status in emphatic fashion on the final morning at Hove. Needing another 61 runs to make Warwickshire bat again, Sussex were instead bowled out for 172 in their second innings in 21 overs of the morning session. Botha, the left-arm spinner, trapped James Kirtley and Carl Hopkinson lbw in consecutive overs, and sent Ed Joyce back the same way after Dwayne Smith had been caught behind off Boyd Rankin. At 150 for 8, the only question remaining was whether Sussex could avoid the innings defeat, but Botha ensured that they fell two runs short.

Mal Loye and VVS Laxman batted from start to finish on the final day at Taunton, as Lancashire secured the most comfortable draw imaginable against Somerset. The pair had resumed on 87 for 2 overnight, with some work still to do to guard against an innings defeat, but they took their stand to a whopping 247 before the captains agreed to an early finish. Loye finished unbeaten on 151 and Laxman 113.

Durham secured their second County Championship title in style, as Nottinghamshire were condemned to an innings-and-52-run defeat at Chester-le-Street. Click here for John Ward's report.

Neil Dexter completed a remarkable yet futile double against his former county colleagues, as Kent completed an emphatic ten-wicket victory over Middlesex at Uxbridge. Dexter, who made a career-best 146 in the first innings, complemented that with 118 in the follow-on, as he helped his side avoid the indignity of an innings defeat. He added 202 for the third wicket with Dawid Malan, who made 80, whereupon the tail eked out a meagre 31-run advantage. Rob Key sealed the match with a six as he and Sam Northeast knocked off the requirement in 5.1 overs.

Surrey drew with Northamptonshire thanks to a remarkable rearguard. Click here for Mark Pennell's report.

Jamie Dalrymple gave his spinners something to bowl at with an unbeaten 89, as Glamorgan set up a fascinating final day in a tight contest against Essex at Cardiff. Dalrymple's efforts, from 184 balls, hoisted his side to 279 for 9, giving them a lead of 301 with one wicket standing. Will Bragg supported his captain with 47, as did Mark Wallace with 48, as Essex's bowlers shared the wickets around, with Danish Kaneria claiming 3 for 104 in 36 overs of legspin. With Robert Croft and Dean Cosker to exploit a turning deck, Glamorgan will believe their overnight lead is enough.