Yorkshire
Ryan Sidebottom is congratulated by teammates after completing his five-for with the dismissal of Tim Murtagh. Getty

Yorkshire are celebrating after successfully retaining their County Championship Division One title for the first time since 1968 before the end of their match against second-place Middlesex at Lord's on 9 September.

Jason Gillespie's side, who lost just once en route to a 17-point triumph over nearest challengers Warwickshire last season, skittled their opponents for just 106 on day one after veteran seamer Ryan Sidebottom claimed figures of 5-18 and Tim Bresnan completed his own impressive four-wicket haul.

Such an efficient display of bowling left Nottinghamshire as the only team remaining that could stop Yorkshire from winning back-to-back championships for the first time in 47 years and a 33rd overall. However, their challenge was ended when they could only muster 204 in the first innings of their match against Durham when they needed to register 350 or more to keep themselves in the running.

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Captain Andrew Gale and his teammates will be presented with the trophy following the conclusion of their contest against Middlesex. They complete the 2015 county season with a trip to Hampshire on 14 September and a home clash against Sussex one week later.