Meanwhile, in the cricket that matters
...
Somerset have a challenge ahead against Hampshire in a low-scoring match. With 2 days to go, and with none of the innings to date reaching 200, Hampshire lead by 230 with 2 second innings wickets intact.
Essex are strolling along nicely against Surrey. Their first innings lead is already 128 and they have 4 wickets in hand.
It would be something of a surprise, therefore, if Somerset were still top of the table going into the last match, which will be Somerset v Essex.
I haven't followed county cricket since the Championship was broken up into 2 divisions, but I don't remember matches continuing so late into September in the Good Old Days. I do recall, 40 years ago, that Essex were declared champions in mid-August, such was their lead. Could this be the latest in the season that the County Championship has been decided?