Defending champions Middlesex relegated on final day

LAST SEASON’S champions Middlesex have been relegated from County Championship Division One after Hampshire held on for a draw against Warwickshire.

Middlesex were left crossing their fingers after losing their relegation clash with Somerset by 231 runs at Taunton.

That guaranteed Somerset’s survival but meant a win or a draw for Hampshire would be enough to secure their safety and send Middlesex down.

And the visitors did what they needed to at Edgbaston despite a nervy finish, batting out the overs to finish their second innings on 195-7.

Hampshire had been set a target of 259 for victory but survival was the priority.

They were in trouble when Liam Dawson fell for nine to leave Hampshire 124-6 with more than 20 overs still remaining.

But Ian Holland dug in for a gritty 21 not out from 124 deliveries and Gareth Berg contributed 34 from 79 to guide them towards the safety line.

Earlier, Middlesex’s miserable season was complete when they were bowled out for just 113 in their second innings.

Lancashire clinched second place behind champions Essex after knocking off the 44 runs they required for a seven-wicket victory over Surrey.

Chasing their victory target of 176, Lancashire resumed their innings on 132-3 with Shivnarine Chanderpaul and Liam Livingstone at the crease.

It took less than six overs for the pair to get the necessary runs; Chanderpaul finishing unbeaten on 43 from 44 balls while Livingstone made 69.

In Division Two, Nottinghamshire joined Worcestershire in gaining promotion to the top flight courtesy of their draw with Sussex at Hove.

With more than 60 overs lost to rain and bad light during the first three days, the chances of a positive result dwindled when there was no play before lunch because of a wet outfield.

Nottinghamshire’s result meant Northamptonshire missed out on promotion by five points.