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Mushtaq took a career-best haul to seal the title

Mushtaq Ahmed sought to deflect attention onto his team-mates after his 100th wicket of the year helped secure the County Championship for Sussex.

"This is a family club and everyone plays for each other," said Mushtaq after his career-best 9-48 wrapped up an innings victory over Notts.

"It's not an individual game - it's a team effort and I'm very glad and very lucky to be participating with Sussex.

"We feel like this is a family club and everybody plays for each other."

Interview: Sussex bowler Mushtaq Ahmed

Interview: Sussex captain Chris Adams

Captain Chris Adams echoed that team-first approach by asking the whole squad to join him as he raised the Championship trophy for the second time in four years.

I'd take my hat off to Lancashire and Hampshire - it's been a great year in the County Championship Mark Robinson Sussex coach

This is Sussex's second trophy of the season, after taking the C&G Trophy at Lord's last month.

"From 2003 it's a different side but it's a magnificent feeling and to do the double has meant 2006 is Sussex's year," said Adams.

"We've won it because we were the best team this year, and that's factual."

Asked to single out one performer, Adams gave credit to coach Mark Robinson and his back-room staff.

"The team go out there, take the glory the trophies and the medals but what makes this team special is a huge number of people who work on our behalf off the field," he said.

"They put in just as much effort as we do."

Sussex took an eight-point lead over Lancashire into the final round of matches.

And Robinson admitted to keeping a nervous eye on the Rose Bowl where Lancs, who have lost more than 1,000 overs to rain this year, took on third-placed Hampshire.

"I thought the final irony would be sunshine in Southampton and rain in Nottingham and we would be deprived of what we think we deserve," said the coach.

"I'd take my hat off to Lancashire and Hampshire. It's been a great year in the County Championship.

"They've pushed us all the way and I think cricket needs a vibrant Championship."

The team will return home in style at on Monday, with an open-top bus parade from Hove to Brighton, and a civic reception hosted by the mayor.

"There are so many Sussex fans who were unable to be with the team at their latest victory at Trent Bridge," said a club statement.

"This is a great opportunity to see Sussex and the trophies."