Division One leaders Essex well-placed after two days against struggling Warwickshire
Second-placed Lancashire bowled out for 133 and 28-0 following-on in reply to Somerset's 335
Kumar Sangakkara makes 164 in his seventh County Championship century of season for Surrey
Image source, Rex FeaturesTaunton looked a picture today but the same can't be said for Lancashire's batting card.
Their first innings collapse, coupled with Essex's domination of Warwickshire, means we could see the 2017 County Champions crowned tomorrow.
Essex have waited 25 years for this.
We'll be back right here tomorrow morning to see what happens.
Image source, Getty ImagesAnd here are all the scores at the end of the second day of this round of fixtures....
Division One
Middlesex 71-3 v Hampshire - play abandoned for the day after lunch
Somerset 335 v Lancashire 133 & 28-0 (f/o)
Lancashire trail by 174 runs
Surrey 592 v Yorkshire 171-1
Yorkshire trail by 421 runs
Warwickshire 201 & 7-0 v Essex 369-9 dec
Essex lead by 161 runs
Division Two
Glamorgan 207 & 63-1 v Northamptonshire 310
Glamorgan trail by 40 runs
Gloucestershire 385 v Kent 60-2
Kent trail by 325 runs
Derbyshire 338 & 31-1 v Sussex 271
Derbyshire lead by 98 runs
Leicestershire 404 v Worcestershire 270-4
Worcestershire trail by 134 runs
Last few balls of the day being bowled in Cardiff between Glamorgan and Northants.
Stay tuned with us and we'll show you all the close of play scores shortly...
Warwickshire 201 & 7-0 (2 overs) v Essex 369-9 dec
It must be pointed out how Essex have not shown a single sign of nerves as they close on this title.
They started the day in a good position but end it in an almost perfect one.
Warwickshire trail by 161 runs. With Somerset on top in Taunton, Essex's 25-year wait could end tomorrow.
Warwickshire 201 & 7-0 (2 overs) v Essex 369-9 dec
It is spinner Simon Harmer after his four wickets in the first innings to share the new ball with Porter for Essex.
This field is remarkable. Five men around the bat. It is like something Murali used to bowl to in Galle.
But Dominic Sibley survives and that is the close.
Leicestershire 404 v Worcestershire 270-4 (69 overs)
Close of play on day two at New Road and Worcestershire have made some good progress in their quest for batting bonus points.
The second-placed Pears trail Leicestershire by 134 runs still, but Brett D'Oliveira is unbeaten on 121 at stumps.
George Rhodes fell for 47 to Callum Parkinson just before the end of play.
Warwickshire 201 & 4-0 (0.4 overs) v Essex 369-9 dec
Crikey.
What a start from Jamie Porter.
This track has looked flat all day but as ever in these tricky mini-sessions before the close batting looks difficult for the openers.
Sam Hain is beaten all ends up on the second ball of the day.
The Warwickshire man responds well though with a four through the covers.
Lancashire 133 & 28-0 f/o (12 overs) v Somerset 335
Image source, Rex FeaturesHaseeb Hameed (9 not out) and Alex Davies (15 not out) have seen it through to the close for Lancashire.
That will be little consolation as the day has seen their slim title hopes all-but end.
Lancashire still trail Somerset by 174 runs following on.
Essex 369-9 dec (115 overs) v Warwickshire 201
Oh no they're not!
Sam Cook comes out and faces four balls but Ryan ten Doeschate then calls his last pair in.
Essex declare with a lead of 168. They'll have a short burst at Warwickshire tonight.
Essex 369-9 (114.1 overs) v Warwickshire 201
Finally Jeetan Patel has a wicket and it's the important one of James Foster as the Essex man looked to bat with the tail and stretch the lead.
It is the 11th lbw of the match and a pretty regulation off-spinners dismissal.
Essex lead by 168 with one wicket left. They're going to bat on.
Image source, Getty ImagesSurrey 592 v Yorkshire 171-1 (51 overs)
All done for the day at The Oval, an over ahead of schedule with some bad light around.
Shaun Marsh is unbeaten on 77 with Alex Lees at the other end on 7 for the White Rose.
Yorkshire still 421 runs behind, but they've got a good platform to pick up some batting bonus points tomorrow.
Lancashire 133 & 23-0 f/o (9.3 overs) v Somerset 335
In fact Craig Overton is now back into the attack and Lancashire do have some seam to contend with.
Oveton is on his knees as he begs for an appeal after hitting Alex Davies on the pad but that looked too high.
Lancashire 133 & 23-0 f/o (9 overs) v Somerset 335
My apologies. My maths is out and Lancashire do indeed have a few more overs to bat out tonight.
It is spin at both ends with off-spinner Dominic Bess also into the attack.
Essex 367-8 (111.2 overs) v Warwickshire 201
What was I saying about Warwickshire struggling for a breakthrough?
Neil Wagner goes after a wide one and gives a regulation nick through to wicketkeeper Mellor.
Wagner is annoyed and swishes his bat in frustration.
Essex lead by 166.
Lancashire 133 & 16-0 f/o (7 overs) v Somerset 335
Image source, Rex FeaturesHere we go then.
Tom Abell has given Jack Leach one over before the close this evening.
Alex Davies is watchful and sees it out. One more over for Lancashire's openers to survive.
Essex 364-7 (110 overs) v Warwickshire
Essex look like they will just keep on batting with nine overs left in the day.
James Foster is still going well on 66 not out.
There doesn't look like there'll be any problems with the light. We'll get all of the overs in.
Essex lead by 162.
Leicestershire 404 v Worcestershire 260-3 (62.1 overs)
As Northants have a bit of a collapse at Cardiff, second-placed Worcestershire are staying on course for more points.
A couple of batting points already collected as they reply to Leicestershire's impressive first innings and Brett D'Oliveira (120 not out) has a century to his name
Surrey 592 v Yorkshire 162-1 (47 overs)
Image source, Getty ImagesFinally a wicket falls at The Oval with just a handful of overs remaining in the day.
Slow left-armer Freddie van den Bergh claims a first County Championship wicket as he has Tom Kohler-Cadmore caught at backward point.
A fine knock from the Yorkshire opener comes to an end on 78.
Glamorgan 207 v Northamptonshire 310
A rush of wickets at Cardiff sees visitors Northants bowled out for 310.
Richard Levi top-scored with 101 but Northants went from 241-3 at one stage to lose their last seven wickets for 69 runs. That's a couple of batting bonus points missed as they look to maintain their Division Two promotion hopes.
Their lead stands at 103.
Lancashire 133 & 14-0 f/o (3 overs) v Somerset 335
Lancashire have survived the first three overs as they follow-on against Somerset.
Alex Davies (12 not out) has hit three boundaries while Haseeb Hameed (2 not out) is also off the mark.
It has been spin so far from the hosts. Will be see a bit of Jack Leach before the close in five overs time?
Image source, Rex Features