RYAN Sidebottom fired Yorkshire's second-successive County Championship title march with a three-wicket maiden in the opening over against Middlesex at Lord's.

Yorkshire retained their title as rivals Nottinghamshire collapsed against Durham, with former England seamer Sidebottom's opening salvo proving pivotal.

Sidebottom passed 700 first-class wickets with five for 18 as Yorkshire were confirmed as champions when Nottinghamshire slipped to 204 all-out against Durham at Trent Bridge.

Despite securing the title, Yorkshire must wait until the completion of the match to get their hands on the trophy.

Head coach Gillespie's men still have two more championship fixtures to play following their Lord's fixture, and will now target setting a record points total for the county game's top flight.

Sidebottom sparked the title charge without delay, claiming a three-wicket maiden in the first over of the match.

Middlesex were left reeling at three wickets down without even a single run on the board, Paul Stirling trapped leg before, Nick Compton caught behind and Dawid Malan clean bowled.

On an overcast day with rain in the air, Yorkshire's decision to field on winning the toss received immediate vindication.

Just four overs later Sidebottom was at it again, dispatching Stevie Eskinazi for just four runs with Middlesex 14 for four.

Tim Bresnan then drew Neil Dexter into edging behind for 18, before tangling up Sam Robson to force the opener to offer a nick too.

That left Middlesex 55 for six, a position worsened once more when James Middlebrook removed John Simpson for 28.

The hosts crawled to 92 for seven at lunch, before Bresnan was back among the wickets shortly after the interval.

James Franklin departed for 12, caught by Jack Leaning, as Middlesex reached 95 for eight.

Just three balls later Bresnan struck again, the 30-year-old offering a passable impression of team-mate Sidebottom's early-morning antics, trapping Toby Roland-Jones leg before without score.

That left Sidebottom to put Middlesex out of their misery and complete his five-wicket haul in the process.

The 37-year-old skittled Tim Murtagh's stumps to end Middlesex's innings on 106.

Yorkshire lost Adam Lyth for 25 and Gary Ballance for a duck, both dismissed by Roland-Jones, before moving onto 86 for two when their title triumph was confirmed.