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Harmison and Co celebrate first county title for Durham

27/09/2008

Durham have clinched the Division One title in the County Championship after crushing Kent by an innings and 71 runs at Canterbury.

The defeat for Kent seals their relegation after they were skittled out for 204 in their second innings. Callum Thorp achieved a career-best 7-88 while Steve Harmison took 3-58 despite a cracked bone in his wrist.

Durham's title triumph was confirmed after rivals Nottinghamshire lost to Hampshire by 203 runs at Trent Bridge.

The home side, who would have pipped Durham to the title with victory, were bowled out for 238 in their second innings.

Despite 77 from Samit Patel, Hampshire's bowlers stole the show with four wickets apiece from Imran Tahir and Dimitri Mascarenhas.

Elsewhere, Yorkshire escape relegation after a draw with Sussex at Hove.

Sussex made 397-9 in their second innings with Murray Goodwin top-scoring with 118 while Michael Yardy hit 72, with spinner Adil Rashid taking 7-136.

It caps off an impressive season for Rashid who hit 111 in Yorkshire's declared first innings of 400-9.

Elsewhere, Lancashire completed an eight-wicket win over Somerset at Taunton.

Somerset's faint title hopes looked over with Lancashire starting the final day on 122-0, chasing 182 to win.

Andrew Caddick dismissed the openers, with Mark Chilton going for 97, before skipper Stuart Law hit the winning runs in the first over after lunch.