Sussex retain Championship title

Clare Connor: led Sussex to Championship victory © Getty Images

Clare Connor, England's captain, led Sussex to victory in the Frizzell Women's County Championship in Cambridge for the second year in succession. Sussex were undefeated in their five matches, recording wins against Nottinghamshire, Surrey, Lancashire, Kent and Yorkshire.

Kent, skippered Charlotte Edwards, finished second after beating Yorkshire by eight wickets in their final match. Edwards was the leading run-scorer of the competition and remained unbeaten on 79.

Somerset won division two and will gain promotion next year to the top flight. Surrey were relegated from division one, and Durham drop from division two into the Emerging Counties Cup next year.

"I'm delighted with our performances this week and that we have retained our title," Connor said. "We have some great players in Sussex which reflects the tireless development work done by people throughout the county. I just want to take the winning habit to the matches against New Zealand now and to begin the NatWest women's series on home soil will be fantastic".