Lewry hopes for three in a row

Lewry, 36, played in 13 of Sussex's 16 championship matches this season but was due to see a specialist yesterday (Wednesday) about a problem with his right knee.

He said: "Hopefully, the specialist will be able to get another year or two out of me '” if the club want me. Ottis Gibson, who is 38, took 80 wickets this year, Mushtaq Ahmed, who is 37, took 90 wickets and Mark Ramprakash, who is 39, scored more than 2,000 runs.

"All the old guys are doing well, so I hope that continues."

Sussex retained their title on Saturday, although Lancashire almost pipped them to the crown when they lost by only 24 runs at Surrey, when chasing a mammoth total of 489 to win.

Sussex had won their match with Worcestershire before lunch so a long wait followed while Lancashire tried to beat Surrey.

Lewry said: "It was very nervy and we couldn't even watch the Lancashire game.

"Sky put it on their interactive channel and we couldn't get that at the ground. A few of the team listened to the radio but myself, and a few others, hid ourselves in the dressing room and just listened to the crowd cheering.

"Their final wicket went down about 4 hours after we had won our game, although it seemed a lot longer than that.

"We had a very big party on Saturday night. We were down The Cricketers until they kicked us out and then had the open top bus ride around Hove on Sunday."

Sussex finished 4 points ahead of Durham at the top and Lewry said: "It was a very exciting finish, maybe because of the weather. There were four or five teams who could have won it, so I'm very proud that we came out on top. I think we deserved it. Mushtaq Ahmed was different class and we have the best team unity."

Lewry took 31 wickets, with a best of 4-81, and said: "I performed averagely. I never really got going.

"I was ill for the first month with a virus. Then I got started and the Twenty20 games, which I don't play in, came along.

"I started playing again but then got the problem in my right knee."

Lewry added: "The first two times we won the title, we were tipped to be relegated. This year, we were tipped to come second or third. Three titles in a row? That would be history."