Lancashire Vs. Leicestershire LVCC day four.

Lancashire promoted despite tedious draw.

The players shake hands after a tough final day of the season at Old Trafford.

Lancashire have returned to the top-flight of the County Championship after a lifeless draw with Leicestershire, thanks to Essex’s draw away at Canterbury.

The 2011 Champions require a further 12 points to win the title from their final two matches of the season, the first of which commences on Tuesday at Bristol.

If Lancashire were to control their own destiny, they needed to take 17 Leicestershire wickets on the final day of this fixture, a feat they were unable to achieve by some margin.

Kyle Hogg struck an early blow, removing overnight batsman Michael Thornley for 36, but Leicestershire wicket keeper, Niall O’Brien settled any nerves that were present, passing fifty for the sixth time in this campaign.

His departure for 63 prior to lunch maintained Lancashire’s minute chances for victory, which soon dispersed after the break, when Leicestershire captain, Matthew Boyce (38), led the visitor’s resistance.

Leicestershire’s recent signing of Ben Raine, who became 22-years-old today, has developed into a masterstroke, after the ex-Durham all-rounder smashed 72 in the visitors first innings, before he became Simon Kerrigan’s third victim.

He and Thomas Wells, who made a career-best 43, frustrated Lancashire throughout the afternoon session with a partnership worth 69, delaying the Division Two leader’s in their pursuit for further bonus points.

The match between Kent and Essex continued to grow in importance as this match petered-out for a draw, Lancashire’s sixth of the season in the Championship, ensuring they maintain their unbeaten record.

Comparatively this fixture had become insignificant and further runs from James Sykes (34) continued to prolong Lancashire’s irritation, as they prayed for Kent to hold-out against Essex.

Tom Smith, who had already removed Oliver Freckingham for eight, persevered in the evening session and eventually removed Sykes, finishing the Leicestershire innings on 329 when Ashwell Prince ran from second slip, all the way to third-man, to take a stunning catch.

At this point the players shook hands, commencing an unsettling waiting period for the Lancashire faithful, who were eventually elated to hear the news that Essex had drawn and that they would be playing Division One cricket once again.