LEADERS Worcestershire have moved closer to securing promotion from Specsavers County Championship Division Two.

The County began this week knowing a maximum of 11 points were required from the final match with Durham at New Road from September 25 to seal a place in Division One irrespective of events elsewhere.

But that figure has been reduced to six points after third-placed Northamptonshire were bowled out for 194 against Nottinghamshire, who are second, at Wantage Road.

Their failure to secure any of the five batting bonus points on offer has led to Worcestershire’s reduced points target.

The County are on 216 points and the most Northamptonshire can acquire from their final two games is now 221.