LONDON, England,  CMC – Shivnarine Chanderpaul struck his third hundred in four innings for Durham yesterday, the same day that it was confirmed two fellow West Indians would play in the second division of the English County Championship next year.

Chanderpaul has used the opportunity of the break from international cricket because of the long-running dispute between the West Indies Cricket and the West Indies Players’ Association to link-up again with county champions Durham.

The left-handed West Indies batsman shared an unbroken stand of 183 with former South Africa international Dale Benkenstein to help Durham reached 390 for three, replying to Worcestershire’s first innings total of 356 at New Road.

Things were not so rosy for Barbadians Dwayne Smith and Corey Collymore however, as Sussex relegation was sealed after Nottinghamshire’s Andre Adams helped bowl out the visitors for 243.

Smith made five and Collymore got nine, as Sussex crashed from the stability of 156 for three, meaning even if Sussex go on to win at Trent Bridge, they cannot now finish with enough points to overhaul Lancashire, Yorkshire, or Hampshire in the points table.

Opener Chris Nash appeared to have set the foundations for a big first-innings total with 135 –his fourth hundred of the season – but Sussex lost their last six wickets for 41 runs in 15 overs, with New Zealander Adams capturing four wickets.

Out-of-favour West Indies batsman Wavell Hinds made 37, as Derbyshire helped make Essex’s hopes of celebrating promotion into Division 1 look slim at Derby.

Pakistan leg-spinner Danish Kaneria collected the first hat-trick of his career, as Essex took Derbyshire’s last seven wickets for 74 runs.

The home team still finished on 474 on the back of 222 from their captain Chris Rogers, leaving Essex needing 325 just to avoid the follow-on.

By the close, Essex had reached 166 for two thanks to 50 from Matt Walker and Tom Westley’s 90.