County Championship: Nottinghamshire clinch first title in 15 years by securing second batting point against Warwickshire
Nottinghamshire clinch first County Championship title since 2010; captain Haseeb Hameed inspires with 122 from 211 balls as second batting point secured after 300 runs scored in first innings; Kyle Verreynne seals title in style with six
Friday 26 September 2025 06:27, UK
Nottinghamshire captain Haseeb Hameed led from the front with a century against Warwickshire as they secured the two bonus points they needed to be crowned county champions for the first time in 15 years.
Hameed scored 122 at the top of the order, setting up the hosts to comfortably go past the 300 they needed to get the points to win a seventh title by moving out of the reach of defending champions Surrey.
Joe Clarke (52) and Kyle Verreynne maintained the momentum, with the latter bringing up his half-century with a cover drive for four before pulling his next scoring shot for six to get them over the line in style.
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"It's incredible. It's a fantastic feeling," Mick Newell, Nottinghamshire's director of cricket, told the BBC.
"We knew these last three games were absolutely crucial and we've been blessed with some good weather to allow us to get on the field and get the points we need.
"Anyone who comes ahead of Surrey has played some pretty good cricket because they are really good and it's a great tribute to our players."
What's the latest in fight to avoid relegation?
Second-bottom Durham appear to be up against it as Yorkshire closed to within 32 runs of their first-innings total by reaching 314-5 thanks to Mayank Agarwal's 175.
Earlier, Jack White finished with five for 69 in dismissing the visitors for 346, with last man out Ben Raine making 101.
Hampshire, who started the final round just two points ahead of Durham, look well poised, having reduced Surrey to 225-6 in their second innings, a lead of 124.
Kyle Abbott claimed 4-51 to turn the match back in the hosts' favour after they were able to add only 95 to their overnight 154-3.
Openers Dean Elgar (111no) and Paul Walter (158) helped Essex significantly reduce their deficit against Somerset to 138 runs by stumps on the second day.
Lewis Goldsworthy was last man out after completing his century as the visitors posted 433, but a first-wicket stand of 277 brought the home side back into the game and they closed on 295-2.
Sussex, who were technically in the relegation mix, got the six points they needed for safety after posting 350 - with centuries from James Coles and John Simpson - in response to Worcestershire's first-innings 123.
The already-relegated home side were 270-6 in their second innings at the close.
In Division Two, Ian Holland and Chris Wright claimed three wickets apiece as Leicestershire bowled out Northamptonshire for 189, allowing the champions to extend their advantage to 326 runs early in their second innings.
Captain Wayne Madsen fell two short of a double century as Derbyshire declared on 698-6, with Kent making 117-2 in reply.
Middlesex skipper Leus du Plooy made an unbeaten 263 before declaring on 634-9, with Gloucestershire's reply reaching 146-3.
Glamorgan trail Lancashire by 68 runs in their second innings after being reduced to 41-2 in reply to the visitors' 374.