County Championship: Warwickshire beat Kent to win Division Two title

Warwickshire captain Jeetan Patel lifts the Division Two trophy

Warwickshire secured the Division Two title as they beat fellow promoted side Kent by an innings and 34 runs at Edgbaston.

Kent began day three on 38-1, needing 175 more to make the Bears bat again.

But the Warwickshire pacemen proved too strong, Chris Wright and Keith Barker taking two wickets each on their final appearance as the visitors were bowled out for 179.

Sam Billings and Harry Podmore fell in successive balls to end the innings.

Jeetan Patel trapped Billings lbw for 46 and Podmore was run out by Olly Stone - who took three wickets - with a direct hit.

Zak Crawley (75) had given Kent hope of avoiding a crushing defeat but Ryan Sidebottom trapped him lbw just before lunch.

• Relive Warwickshire's victory over Kent

• Barker to leave Bears for Hampshire in 2019

Wright's departure to Division Two side Leicestershire had already been reported, but left-armer Barker's winter move to Hampshire was only announced during the lunch interval.

It was also a perfect farewell for retiring former England batsman Jonathan Trott, who received another post-match salute to accompany the guard of honour he received walking to the wicket for what proved his final innings the previous day.

Repeat success for Giles

The Division Two title is the first piece of silverware for Warwickshire sport director Ashley Giles since his return to Edgbaston from Lancashire in December 2016.

Giles' first trophy in charge of the Bears, when he took over from Mark Greatbatch in 2008, was also the Division Two title. Trott and wicketkeeper Tim Ambrose were the two Warwickshire players remaining from that side.

Patel 'excited' by Warwickshire transition

Warwickshire captain Jeetan Patel:

"We were disappointed that we went down last year but the first thing was to get back up and, along the way, to win a title.

"I'm proud, especially in the last six games when we were extremely professional, showed a great attitude and wanted to play a Test brand of cricket at four-day level. We bowled teams out, batted big, then bowled them out again.

"We're going to lose a Test cricketer in Trott and two more in Wright and Barker, but I'm excited at where we're at. I love transition. What can come out of that is so huge and the guys have now tasted success amongst that transition."

Kent all-rounder Joe Denly:

"We came into the game very up for it and wanting to end the season on a high but we were completely outplayed.

"We were always playing catch-up after the first day, being bowled out so cheaply, and Warwickshire never let us back in. They batted very well and how fitting it is to see Jonathan Trott go out with a win.

"We have had a great season and I think a lot us are probably surprised how well it's gone.

"Reaching the final of the One-Day Cup, getting close to T20 Finals Day and getting back into the County Championship top flight - it's been a fantastic season with a lot to build on."