Warwickshire crowned county champions

Warwickshire have finished the season as county champions, claiming the County Championship title for the sixth time in their history.

The Edgbaston side ended the campaign on 222 points, 16 clear of second-placed Kent, after the final round of matches finished on 19 September. The title was confirmed earlier in the month, when Sussex, the only side who could catch them, lost to Middlesex.

Built on batting

Warwickshire's success has been built on the strength of their batting. They won five of their 16 matches, fewer than several rivals, but their big first-innings totals earned them a large haul of bonus points and made them very hard to beat.

The star of the season has been Ian Bell. The 22-year-old scored nearly 1,500 runs in the Championship at an average of more than 70, one of the best returns in the country, and has been tipped for an England Test place.

Captain Nick Knight, the former England opener, has led from the front, and the side has also relied on the experience of players such as the all-rounder Dougie Brown.

A return to the top

It is Warwickshire's first Championship title since 1995, when they completed a memorable run of success under Dermot Reeve and the coach Bob Woolmer. That team won the Championship in 1994 and 1995 and several one-day trophies, with the West Indian batsman Brian Lara breaking records at Edgbaston in 1994.

The coach, John Inverarity, a former Australian Test player, has been praised for building a team with a strong spirit and a clear plan.

Edgbaston's big summer

It has been a busy summer at Edgbaston. As well as the county's title charge, the ground has hosted Test and one-day international cricket, and is one of the venues for the ICC Champions Trophy, which is being played in England this month.

England will play Australia in the semi-final at Edgbaston this week, giving local fans the chance to see two of the world's best teams.

Looking ahead

Warwickshire will now look to defend their title next season. The challenge will be to keep the squad together, particularly if Bell and other young players are called up by England.

For members and supporters, the title is a welcome reward after several difficult seasons. The county will celebrate with its members at Edgbaston in the coming weeks.

Edgbaston has been the county's home since 1886, and the ground has seen many great days, from Test match triumphs to one-day finals. This title will take its place among them.

Warwickshire can now claim to be the best four-day side in the country, and few would argue that they have earned it.