Sussex win the Championship

Sussex, formed as a club in 1839 and therefore older than any of their rivals, have been runners-up seven times since the championship became 'official' in 1890.

But this year, despite a slow start that saw them lose three of their first five matches and even given the obvious strength of holders Surrey and wealthy Lancashire, Sussex have proved unstoppable.

The title is worth £105,000 from sponsors Frizzell, an amount of prize-money the county pledged to double at the start of the season. They clearly fancied their team's chances this year - and wisely took out insurance against what will be a happy pay-out.

Cash, though, cannot buy the look of delight which was on the faces of the players and every supporter this afternoon.

Pakistan spinner Mushtaq Ahmed has been the star turn, capturing 103 wickets to date (with Leicestershire's second innings to come) and earning himself a small fortune by way of a generous bonus scheme.

Sussex's triumph really has been a squad effort, however, with almost every player contributing big performances when they were most needed. Today, Goodwin sailed past his previous championship best of 210 (his fourth century of the season) while Adams clubbed 102 from 108 balls before holing out to long-on.

By then, though, Sussex had soared to 418 for three and the county of C B Fry, Ranjitsinhji, Ted Dexter and Imran Khan were in seventh heaven.

Meanwhile, Worcestershire won the Second Division after denying second-placed rivals Northamptonshire the third bowling point they needed to keep the contest alive.

The visitors declared on 172 for eight at Wantage Road today with the home side needing to take maximum bowling points to have any chance of overhauling their rivals for the title. But Worcester declared on 172 for eight. Northants, who scored 196 in their first innings, were 234 for four in their second innings.

Surrey v Essex

A mammoth 165 not out from Andy Flower put Essex firmly in control at The Oval this afternoon.
Youngsters Alastair Cook (84) and Mark Pettini (70) both posted useful scores to put Essex 89 ahead.
Surrey 318, Essex 407-4 (92 overs)

Kent

England outcast Ed Smith completed a double century today as Kent piled up the runs against Warwickshire.
Smith, dropped for England's winter tours, made 213 before falling to Jon Trott (7-39). Matthew Walker also weighed in with 121.
Kent 594, Warwicks 82-1 (18 overs)

Hampshire

Simon Katich was the Hants hero today, making 112, after John Crawley (59), Derek Kenway (68) and James Adams (60) had all added valuable runs.
Derbys 317, Hants 377-6 (84.5 ov)

Other scores

Trent Bridge: Notts 376-9d, Lancs 219.
Riverside: Glam 270 & 189-3, Durham 247.
Leeds: Yorks 476, Gloucs 225-7 (68.4 ovs)