YORKSHIRE could retain the LV= County Championship title today following a stunning morning’s bowling against Middlesex at Lord’s, led by Ryan Sidebottom.

If Middlesex, who were 92-7 from 26 overs at the interval, are bowled out for less than 350 and Notts fail to get maximum batting points against Durham, Yorkshire will be champions again before the end of the day. Notts are 73-6.

After Andrew Gale won the toss, Sidebottom claimed three wickets in the first over as the hosts slipped to 0-3 before they later slumped to 55-6.

Sidebottom trapped Paul Stirling lbw three balls into the match before getting Nick Compton caught behind two balls later and then bowling Dawid Malan for a golden duck.

He later had Steve Eskinazi caught at second slip, leaving the score at 14-4 in the fifth, before Tim Bresnan had Neil Dexter caught behind in his first over and then Sam Robson caught at first slip.

Sidebottom took advantage of nip off the pitch to reach lunch with figures of 4-14 from eight overs.

James Middlebrook, who plays for New Farnley in the JCT600 Bradford League, had John Simpson caught behind with the last ball of the session to round off his first over in style.