Cricket Round-Up: Lancashire romp home as title race hots up

The race for the County Championship title is hotting up nicely, after Lancashire completed a remarkable comeback win yesterday while their nearest challengers, Sussex, also closed in on victory. The two sides meet at Hove starting on Wednesday.

Iain Sutcliffe, right, steered the Red Rose county to a five-wicket victory over Nottinghamshire at Trent Bridge. Chasing 312 to win, Lancashire resumed the final day on 238 for 1 but suffered a few nervous moments courtesy of spinners Graeme Swann and David Hussey. Swann, who finished with 4 for 81, accounted for Mal Loye, who made 108, but Sutcliffe finished 139 not out as the visitors reached 314 for 5. Lancashire had been bowled out for 200 in their first innings to give Nottinghamshire a lead of 197 but the home captain, Stephen Fleming, opted not to enforce the follow-on; a decision he regretted as the hosts were skittled for just 114 in their second dig.

Five wickets for Mushtaq Ahmed helped Sussex bowl out Warwickshire for 140 in their second innings at Edgbaston. Chasing 270 to win to leapfrog Lancashire at the top of the table, Sussex were 190 for 4 when bad light ended play for the day.

There was a thrilling finish at Lord's, where Durham, chasing a target of 273 for victory against Middlesex, ended on 220 for 7. Middlesex had been dismissed for 503 in their second innings after following on.

In Division Two, 13 wickets in the match for captain Robert Croft helped Glamorgan defeat Gloucestershire by 10 wickets at Cheltenham. Gloucestershire were bowled out for 244 in their second innings, Croft taking 7 for 67, before the visitors knocked off the 40 runs required without loss.

Derbyshire and Worcestershire played out a draw at Derby. Australian Marcus North hit 161 for the hosts as the game petered out.

Northamptonshire and Essex played out a high-scoring draw. Andy Flower finished 271 not out as Essex were finally bowled out for 620, in reply to Northants' mammoth 660 for 5 declared.