County Championship Division One

'The best County Championship season ever'

Cricinfo staff

September 22, 2007

The waiting game: Chris Adams relaxes with a beer after beating Worcestershire ... only four-and-a-half hours to go © Getty Images

Talking to Sky Sports, Adams said: "I'm just overwhelmed. We started the day needing five wickets, we got them and then we had to watch that. I'd say to Lancashire 'you played well, you had a hard season, there's no shame in your performance and you nearly did it'.

"It's been the most excruciating afternoon. We were panicking like hell in there. My team have been brilliant. They've been awesome on and off the field. The test of a true team is if you retain your trophy and we did it. You play 16 games of four-day cricket so the best team has to win, we proved that but only by the slimmest of margins. We got there by the skin of our teeth."

At The Oval, Mark Chilton, Lancashire's captain, was in tears as he admitted that he had "never seen a changing room like it in my life.

"I'm extremely proud of what our guys have achieved though. As captain I'm privileged to have seen the efforts they have put in. To get close to our target was a phenomenal effort but the lads are just broken. Our players have risen to an almighty challenge and to come so close is an enormous effort."

Mushtaq Ahmed, who took 13 wickets in the match and whose 90 wickets in the season were again instrumental in Sussex's success, said: "I had an extra pray and asked Allah to give us another Championship. If you give 100% then Allah will always favour you.

He's a fabulous character and he inspires so many of the other players. It'll be a sad day when he goes Chris Adams on Mushtaq Ahmed Optional related link

Adams singled out Mushtaq for praise. "He's been bowled into the ground ... not that he'll mind. It's not only his ability, it's his commitment, his desire to keep bowling overs. He just turns up and keeps churning out the overs and waning to take wickets. He's a fabulous character and he inspires so many of the other players. It'll be a sad day when he goes."

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Stories

Adams ready to sign contract extension

Comment - There's life in the old dog yet

Lancashire go down fighting as Sussex secure title

Players/Umpires

Chris Adams

Mark Chilton

Mushtaq Ahmed

Series/Tournaments

County Championship Division One

Teams

England

Lancashire

Sussex