Lancashire have been relegated to Division Two of the County Championship after being bowled out by Hampshire at the Ageas Bowl.
After Nottinghamshire managed two bonus points in their game against Somerset, Lancashire needed 300 within 110 first-innings overs to retain any chance of retaining their place in the top tier.
But they were bowled out 27 runs short on 273, collapsing from 123-4 as Fidel Edwards took 4-72 for the hosts. Though they remain on top in this game, Lancashire will now join Worcestershire in Division Two. They will inevitably reflect on the frailties of their batting line-up, which failed to pass 200 10 times. They have more bowling bonus points than any other side the division, with Tom Bailey and Graham Onions having led the charge.
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Some consolation may be found in the fact that, with another restructure of the competition due for 2020, next season will likely see three teams promoted to Division One, with only one coming down. That will create a top tier of 10 teams while the second division will comprise only eight.
