Sussex for the hat-trick?

Stan James go 4/1 that Sussex make it three successive Championship victories in a row next season. Sussex, who became the first county to win back-to-back titles since Surrey in 2001, secured the pennant on a dramatic final day of action. Having beaten Worcestershire in the morning to go top, glory looked to be theirs until Lancashire - who needed a win over Surrey to leapfrog the south coast outfit - staged an improbable fightback at the Oval. Having been set a record 489 to win, Lancashire fell 24 runs short as Dominic Cork, was bowled by Murtaza Hussain for 47. No team has managed a hat-trick of wins since Yorkshire in 1968 and Sussex will attempt to do it without Richard Montgomerie, who has retired, and Saqlain Mushtaq, who was released on Monday. Saqlain said: "The club has been wonderful and it is with a heavy heart that I am having to say goodbye for my own personal reasons." Sussex will be able to call on the experience of Chris Adams, who has been their captain throughout their glorious run (they have won three titles in five years). He is expected to agree a two-year extension to his existing contract meaning he will be with the club until the end of 2009. Adams left Sussex in the close season to join Yorkshire as director of cricket before having a change of heart and returning to Hove. In other moves, opening batsmen Jason Gallian has left Nottinghamshire and signed for Essex, who are in need of some experience following the loss of Ronnie Irani and Andy Flower. Surrey have snapped up former England batsman Usman Afzaal, who has left Northamptonshire. Justin Langer has agreed to return to Somerset next season after leading them to a double promotion. It means Cameron White will not be back as counties are allowed only one overseas player from next season. (Editor's Note: Sussex will miss the spin of Saqlain Mushtaq next season and with an ageing squad is it too much to ask for them to win a third consecutive title? Follow all the prices on Stan James!)