Warwickshire lifted by Brown

Warwickshire have secured the final promotion spot from the second division by defeating bottom-placed Derby-shire. But anything less would have been unsatisfactory for a county with a Test ground and a strong belief that they are one of the big players.

Warwickshire have secured the final promotion spot from the second division by defeating bottom-placed Derby-shire. But anything less would have been unsatisfactory for a county with a Test ground and a strong belief that they are one of the big players.

Bob Woolmer's contract as coach runs out next year, and the signing of Shaun Pollock, his former South African protégé, would be invaluable in lifting the spirits as the public hankers for the glory days of the Nineties. West Indian all-rounder Vasbert Drakes has been disappointing and Michael Powell, appointed captain at the tender age of 25, endured a torrid Champion-ship season with the bat, averaging 22.57. It took the 19- year-old Academy wonderkid Ian Bell to revive their hopes.

Whither Derbyshire? Their batting has been abysmal and they succumbed meekly for 194 at Derby, losing by an innings and 100 runs as Dougie Brown grabbed 6 for 60.

In the steady hands of new coach John Emburey and new captain Angus Fraser, Middlesex were prime candidates for promotion until they lost three of their last four games.

They declared on 368 for 4 at New Road with Dubliner Ed Joyce hitting 108 not out off 112 balls with 17 fours and three sixes. Worcestershire, set 284, drew the match on 179 for 4.

Nottinghamshire declared on 314 for 7 at Trent Bridge, with 17-year-old Bilal Shafayat managing a career-best 75. Chasing 301, newly promoted Hampshire reached 245 for 6, Giles White making 112.

Michael Vaughan made 113 off just 89 balls with 16 fours and four sixes at Scarborough but Yorkshire handed lowly Essex their second win of the season. After Essex declared on 172 for 8, setting a target of 319, the champions collap-sed from 258 for 5 to 267 all out with slow left-armer Paul Grayson taking 5 for 20.

Surrey, who had won the title for the last two seasons, seemed intent on forgetting recent relegation worries as they amassed 701 for 9 against an already doomed Glamorgan side at Cardiff. Mark But-cher registered 230, Ali Brown 115 and Adam Hollioake 97.

James Ormond, the pace bowler who made his England debut at The Oval, will miss the tour of Zimbabwe next month because of tendinitis in his right knee. A replacement will be named tomorrow.