On Saturday at the County Ground in Derby, Essex chased down 359 to beat Derbyshire with 8 overs to play on the final day of the season, with the result condemning Northamptonshire to LV County Championship Division 2 in 2010.

A tense day lay ahead for Northamptonshire players, staff and supporters whilst Essex battled against Derbyshire at the Derby County Ground. A draw or Derbyshire win would mean Northants would see promotion to Division 1 of the County Championship in 2010, an Essex win would mean they would gain promotion ahead of Northants.

Fortunes began to favour Essex when, with 65 overs remaining of the days play, Derbyshire declared leaving only 359 to chase in 65 overs on a flattening pitch.

Essex then took all before them taking Derbyshire's attack to all parts of the ground with Ryan ten Doeschate scoring an undefeated 59-ball 108 with Derbyshire's tactics on the afternoon coming under question as Graham Wagg reverted to bowling left arm off-spin and opening batsman Madsen bowling off-spin.