Sussex won promotion back to LV= County Championship Division One at the first time of asking after securing four batting points on the second day of their clash against Northamptonshire at Hove.

Replying to their visitors' 125 all out, Sussex made 381 with opener Chris Nash top-scoring with 164. They then reduced Northants to 48 for two in their second innings before bad light and rain ended play early.

Earlier the hosts had sealed promotion when Ollie Rayner's single took them to 350, although Gloucestershire's subsequent failure to take any batting points at Grace Road against Leicestershire meant they were already assured of a top-two finish.

Elsewhere in Division Two, Leicestershire dominated the second day of against Gloucestershire at Grace Road to keep alive their slim chances of promotion.

After dismissing Gloucestershire for 159, Leicestershire moved into a commanding position by reaching 147 for one at stumps to lead by 283 runs.

Greg Smith was still there at the close on 70 having shared stands of 69 with Matt Boyce and 78 with Jacques Du Toit to complete an impressive day for the home side.

Owais Shah, in his final game for Middlesex, closed in on a farewell century at Lord's despite bad weather cutting short the second day of the match against Worcestershire.

Shah was 70 not out when torrential rain ended play for the day at 4pm, having guided Middlesex to 244 for five in reply to Worcestershire's first innings 313.

Bad light and rain meant just 45 overs were bowled on day two of the clash between Surrey and Glamorgan at The Brit Oval, which ended with the visitors on 72 for two.

Surrey had earlier been bowled out for 380, but their hopes of making significant inroads on the visitors' batting line-up was frustrated by the weather.