It was a frustrating day in Birmingham on Wednesday, as rain prevented any play between Warwickshire and Essex.

Essex, fifth in Division One, but only 14 points clear of relegation, will resume on 325-5, picking up two batting points as they edge closer to the draw that will secure another season of top-flight cricket.

However, there will be another delayed start today, as the soggy weather sticks around.

Martin Emmerson
BBC Radio Newcastle

It's the final day of Durham v Worcestershire and Worcestershire have declared their first innings on 591-9.

So, Durham just need to bat out the final day for a draw. They have 20 wickets to play with as well and it’s a flat track.

Also, if Hants lose at Somerset, where they are following on, Durham will move out of the bottom two with a game to go.

BBC Local Radio

It feels like a pivotal day doesn't it?

We could be a lot closer to learning the destination of the Division One title while the Second Division promotion race could be done and dusted.

We've got everything covered for you today with our live text coverage and by clicking on the 'Watch & listen' tab at the top of the page you can listen to the BBC radio commentary of your choice as well.

What's not to like?

Image source, Getty Images

Not too much maths needed today, you'll be pleased to know.

Surrey need a further 249 runs while Notts require 10 wickets - weather permitting one of those two things will happen today with the winners taking control of the title race.

The way Rory Burns (41*) and Dom Sibley (18*) got things going for the reigning champions yesterday will have concerned Notts and dropping the home captain when he'd made only 20 hasn't helped their cause.

But, we have seen wickets go down in clusters in this game and notably once the lacquer has gone off the ball so this is far from over.

Victory for either of these two will mean Somerset have to beat Hampshire to retain their outside hopes of lifting a first title.

Image source, Rex Features

We're seeing some rather sad pictures from around the country with the groundstaff having been busy.

We already know there's going to be a delayed start at Leicester while the covers remain firmly on at Edgbaston, Hove and Derby because of rain.

There'll be no play between Derbyshire and Glamorgan before lunch which inches the Welsh county even closer to promotion.

The covers are off at Old Trafford so we may get some news from there soon.

We'll keep you updated from those venues.

Image source, Getty Images

Jack Leach put Hampshire in all sorts of trouble with a spell-binding 7-69, the third time in four home matches he had taken at least a 'six-fer'.

Brendon McCullum has already heavily hinted that Shoaib Bashir – unused in this match – will be heading to the Ashes this winter, and Leach wants to join him.

The left-arm spinner said: “I have done an Ashes tour before and it didn’t go how I would have liked so I feel like I have got some unfinished business in Australia.

“I would love to go as part of the current team. I have loved what Baz and Stokesy have created and believe we have as good a chance as any before us of winning the Ashes. To be part of that would be awesome.

“I feel good. As a sportsman, you always feel like you want to believe in yourself and that you can do a good job. I believe I would be in a good place to contribute for England, but we will just have to wait and see.”

Hampshire are facing an innings defeat, with the possibility of relegation staring at them. Captain Ben Brown admitted: “It has been a poor game from us so far. Now we find ourselves in a tricky spot. But we have been in a few positions like this before and got out of trouble.”

Image source, Getty Images

Worcestershire's Gareth Roderick admitted they had not "stood up" as a side well enough this season after relegation was confirmed despite them piling up a huge score on day three against Durham.

Roderick hit 151 and Ethan Brookes exactly 100 but their fate was sealed after they only managed two batting bonus points.

"The relegation's confirmed, that's always sad news. Division One is a really tough division, we've had some nip and tuck games that could have gone either way," he said.

"There's been some crucial moments, as a unit we probably haven't stood up as we did last year and lost those moments."

The Pears have one eye on Saturday's One-Day Cup final against Hampshire and part of the reason for batting on was "not wanting our bowlers to be out there for 140 overs before then".

Image source, Getty Images

Sussex skipper John Simpson hopes to make it an uncomfortable final day for Yorkshire after his 66 helped steer his side into a modest 38-run lead at Hove.

Both teams are looking to maintain the gap between themselves and next-to-bottom Durham ahead of the final week of the Championship campaign.

"If you'd offered us a 40-run lead with a couple of wickets left and the possibility of getting another bonus point in the morning I'd have snapped your hand off," he said at the end of the third day's play.

"There was some help for their seamers and as the game has gone on it's started to spin as well. It was a good day but we need to have a good session tomorrow morning to try and get another batting point - then we could put Yorkshire under a bit of pressure."

Image source, Getty Images

The final day of play at Grace Road this season arrives with already promoted Leicestershire hoping it will end with silverware.

If they can take 20 Kent wickets to win the game, they will be Division Two champions - but that could also be confirmed if they draw and chief rivals Glamorgan fail to beat Derbyshire.

That seems unlikely as Glamorgan only managed one batting point at Derby and the game is no further advanced because of the weather.

Ben Dawkins and Harry Finch are the not out Kent batters, while Leicestershire's Chris Wright needs three wickets to reach 600 in first-class cricket before retirement.

It's still damp after yesterday's rain and there will be a 10.30 inspection.

Image source, Rex Features

Glamorgan's chances of pipping Leicestershire Two title have almost slipped out of sight after no play on days one and three at Derby.

But promotion is very much on the cards for the Welsh county barring an unforeseen turn of events.

They began this game 27 points clear of the home side and that has been reduced to 25 after they only managed one batting point - but if they can maintain that lead on the final day, second place will be confirmed.

Derbyshire have three bowling points in the bag, but even if they could score 450 to earn five for batting - a very big 'if' - plus eight for a draw Glamorgan would only need to avoid defeat next week to go up.

That 'if' just got even more gigantic as there will be no play before lunch.

More promising today - but how damp are some of the grounds after yesterday's rain?

The BBC Weather website summary says: "The far north will be windy with a few lingering showers. Rain in Wales and central England will push north into Northern Ireland and south Scotland. Elsewhere, mainly dry with variable cloud."

Division One

Durham v Worcestershire 591-9

Somerset 454-8 dec v Hampshire 172 & 35-1 (f/o)

Hampshire trail by 247 with 9 wickets standing

Surrey 173 & 66-0 v Nottinghamshire 231 & 256

Surrey need another 249 to win with 10 wickets standing

Sussex 232-8 v Yorkshire 194

Sussex lead by 38 with 2 wickets standing

Warwickshire v Essex 325-5 - no play on day three

Division Two

Derbyshire 17-0 v Glamorgan 259 - no play on day three

Gloucestershire 158-5 v Northamptonshire 206

Gloucestershire trail by 48 with 5 wickets standing

Lancashire 105-0 v Middlesex 211

Lancashire trail by 106 with 10 wickets standing

Leicestershire 459-7 dec v Kent 17-0 - no play on day three

Here we are - the final day of the penultimate round of County Championship matches in 2025.

Will it be Surrey or Nottinghamshire who put one hand on the Division One trophy by winning what has been a gripping contest at The Oval?

A draw or tie in that game would suit third-placed Somerset if they can force a win after making Hampshire follow-on at Taunton on day three.

Promotion and relegation issues also remain up in the air so welcome to our coverage. Play is due to start at 10:30.