Notts pip Somerset on final day to win LV= County Championship 2010

Press release: 17 September 2010

Nottinghamshire have won the LV= County Championship after one of the most dramatic finishes to a season in history.

1. With time running out in the final session, Notts took the three Lancashire wickets they needed to earn the bowling point that moved them above nearest rivals Somerset by virtue of having won more games over the five month campaign. Somerset, very much the bookies' favourites at the start of the final day, were left feeling devastated as they followed events at Old Trafford on TV in their dressing room in Durham.
   
   After losing much of the first three days to rain, Nottinghamshire calculated their best chance of winning their sixth title would be to score 400 runs and take three Lancashire wickets to earn them the nine points they needed. Adam Voges (126) and Samit Patel (96) batted brilliantly to move Notts towards their target of 400 runs but, on 390-9, nerves were jangling as Notts relied on last pair Darren Pattinson and Ryan Sidebottom to help them cross the line.
   
   In the knowledge that Somerset had only drawn at Durham, Notts then took the field needing to take three wickets in the 18 remaining overs. It took just 28 balls. England seamer Ryan Sidebottom made the initial breakthrough dismissing Lancashire opener Karl Brown and then Andre Adams sent Mark Chilton on his way four balls later. With one more wicket to take, Adams then had West Indian International Shivnarine Chanderpaul caught at slip with the fourth ball of his second over, his 67th wicket of the season.
   
   After the game, Nottinghamshire captain Chris Read, who was also part of the 2005 title winning side said, "I rank that as one of the highlights of my career but this has eclipsed it. Being captain, it's a great feeling to be lifting trophies." He added, "It's also because of the nature we have gone about it. It's been a real rollercoaster ride and emotions have been running high for a number of weeks."
   
   Final standings of the LV= County Championship Division One
   
   1. Nottinghamshire W7 L5 D4 PTS 214
   2. Somerset W6 L2 D8 PTS 214
   3. Yorkshire W6 L2 D8 PTS 203
   4. Lancashire W5 L3 D8 PTS 182
   5. Durham W5 L3 D8 PTS 173
   6. Warwickshire W6 L9 D1 PTS 166
   7. Hampshire W3 L6 D7 PTS 157
   8. Kent W3 L7 D6 PTS 151
   9. Essex W2 L6 D8 PTS 126

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