Nottinghamshire secure promotion double

Nottinghamshire 259 for 7 (Gallian 68, Franks 64) beat Somerset 225 (K Parsons 116*) by 34 runs
Scorecard

Nottinghamshire completed an impressive double by securing promotion from the second division of the totesport league, to match their return to the top flight of the Championship.

Needing a win to leapfrog Yorkshire and nab the third promotion spot, Notts were indebted to Paul Franks, who emerged at No. 7 and proceeded to spank five fours and four sixes in a turbo-charged finish to the innings. He was eventually dismissed for 64 from 37 balls, which built on Jason Gallian's 68 from 70 balls that had anchored the top of the order.

Somerset, whose punishment for a bottom-four finish is an all first-class tie in the opening round of next year's C&G Trophy, needed 260 to win, but that prospect looked bleak as Mark Ealham and Andrew Harris grabbed an early wicket apiece, before Greg Smith got in on the act with two rapid breakthroughs (71 for 4).

Ian Blackwell didn't last long either, but Keith Parsons wasn't about to roll over and die. He counterattacked supremely in a thrilling century, finishing up on 116 not out from 114 balls. He was supported for a while by Aaron Laraman and Gareth Andrew, but the end - and Nottinghamshire's promotion - came courtesy of a messy run-out.