Warwickshire and Lancashire seal wins

Division One

James Anyon ripped through Sussex on the final day at Edgbaston, as Warwickshire gained vital ground in the race for the title. Sussex had fought back strongly on the third day, but in the end victory was comfortable for the home side, who won by 101 runs. They had added nine runs to their overnight score to leave Sussex chasing 228. Makhaya Ntini troubled them early, removing Richard Montgomerie and the dangerous Michael Yardy to set them wobbling at 32 for 2. Neil Carter took the next two to leave the top four in the shed with 68 runs on the board. Anyon continued the job, destroying the heart of the middle order with three quick wickets, and mopping up the final wicket to seal their fate.

Division Two

It didn't take long for Lancashire to seal victory against Worcestershire on the fourth day at Blackpool and do their promotion push no harm at all. It was always a question of when, not if, Lancashire would win, and they went in for a quick kill, needing just ten balls this morning as Glen Chapple removed Kabir Ali for 14. He was caught by James Anderson, with Worcestershire adding just one more run to their overnight total.