Durham claim promotion as Lancs struggle

Middlesex produced an efficient all round display to leave Lancashire clinging to their first division status. Ed Smith and Owais Shah laid the foundation for Middlesex's 263 and Jamie Dalrymple then caught the eye with a brutal 63 from 33 balls - with 10 fours and two sixes - as more than 100 runs came in the last 10 overs. Lancashire began the chase confidently but lost wickets at regular intervals and only Glen Chapple's 71 gave them any real hope.

Essex picked up the National League trophy - after winning the title last month - and crowned the day with a four-wicket win against struggling Worcestershire. Vikram Solanki's 79 was the major contribution for Worcestershire but the tail fell away against Andre Adams. Alistair Cook and Grant Flower then did the bulk of the scoring for Essex as they reached the target in the final over. Worcestershire face Lancashire next week in a likely relegation decider.

Durham claimed their second promotion in two days with a convincing win against Somerset. The seam attack ran through Somerset's batting reducing them to 53 for 7. Wesley Durston's 46 at least pushed the total past three figures as Neil Killeen and Paul Collingwood grabbed three wickets each. Durham eased home with nearly 14 overs to spare and will now be of the top division in both leagues next season.

Sussex maintained their lead at the top of the table with a 61-run with over Kent. Richard Montgomerie laid the foundations for a decent total with 73 and Carl Hopkinson gave the closing stages a flourish with 26 off 14 balls. Kent then continued the batting slump which handed Notts the Championship title yesterday, as James Kirtley and Robin Martin-Jenkins took three wickets each. From 48 for 5 there was no way back despite 51 from Michael Carberry

Nick Knight ensured Warwickshire avoided a second defeat against Scotland with a controlled century. He and Jonathon Trott added 109 to break the back of chasing 221. Fraser Watts and Ian Stanger made determined half-centuries for Scotland as they posted an useful total