Harris catch seals promotion

Nottinghamshire 341 and 39-1 Essex 28

It is probably coincidence but, since Clive Rice departed back in June, Nottinghamshire have strung together six victories and three draws in their last nine matches and yesterday they took the final, triumphant step up into the First Division of the County Championship, a place they have not appeared since its inception three seasons ago.

Mick Newell, Rice's replacement as director of cricket, pronounced himself delighted after Andrew Harris held on to a loose shot from Aftab Habib to secure the necessary second bowling point.

But, having joined Middlesex and Essex in the promotion stakes, there is still the matter of £40,000 and the Second Division title. Nottinghamshire's hard-working attack carried on the good work after Habib's departure, nibbling away until, in a dramatic finish to the Essex innings, the home side lost their last three wickets in seven balls.

With Essex picking up a disappointing two points for their batting, the position now is that only a win will be good enough to give either of these two sides the title. A draw would leave Middlesex, who have completed their Championship programme, as the champions.

The Essex batsmen never really got to grips with the pitch and it brought into question the decision by their acting captain, Paul Grayson, to field on winning the toss. On a pitch beginning to show signs of wear the Australian leg-spinner Stuart MacGill looked more difficult the longer the innings went on and promises to be awkward at best come the fourth innings.

John Stephenson and Habib looked the most comfortable against Harris, MacGill and Co. Stephenson's remarkable Indian summer is drawing to an honourable close; yesterday the 37-year-old made a valuable 65, cruising past 500 first-class runs in the process, and he is now on the brink of the all-rounders' double having taken 45 wickets.

Habib sadly fell at 50, while Mark Waugh had looked a little out of touch. However, wicketkeeper James Foster carefully steered Essex safely within range of their opponents and affairs are delicately poised.

* Warwickshire's Neil Carter smashed the fastest century in this season's County Championship at Hove yesterday. Carter, who had only once scored over 50 in a first-class game, reached his hundred in only 67 balls and shared in a last-wicket stand of 119 with Jamie Spires. His 103 allowed Warwickshire to make 293 all out in reply to Sussex's first innings of 352.