Division One leaders Essex beat Warwickshire by an innings and 56 runs
They will be champions unless Lancashire beat Somerset
Lancashire 247-8 at the close at Taunton, just 45 runs ahead
Yorkshire 59-1 at stumps after following on against Surrey
Leicestershire spinner Callum Parkinson takes 8-148 against Worcestershire
Warwickshire 201 & 25-4 (12 overs) v Essex 369-9 dec
Bell gone! Essex are well on their way.
The top four for Warwickshire are now all back in the hutch, including the big guns Bell and Trott. Sam Cook gets one to nip back off the pitch and it takes the inside edge/glove.
James Foster dives away to take a low catch and Essex need just six more for the win.
Jonathan Trott will think he's a little unlucky with this wicket but he's back in the pavilion nonetheless.
Essex need seven more wickets for the win...
Lancashire 133 & 30-0 f/o (15 overs) v Somerset 335
So with Essex showing no signs of failing to close this win out, eyes are on Lancashire to see if they can delay what seems inevitable.
Remember if Lancashire lose and Essex win, Essex will be champions.
Just a couple of runs for the visitors this morning, both to Alex Davies, with no wickets so far. Stay patient Essex fans...
Leicestershire 404 v Worcestershire 318-6 (79 overs)
Leicestershire make their second breakthrough of the morning and it's the key wicket of Brett D'Oliveira, whose downfall gives 20-year-old spinner Callum Parkinson his first Championship 'five-for'. Worcestershire are still 86 in arrears with Ravichandran Ashwin and Ben Cox now together.
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Len: Credit to Silverwood and McGrath. I liked Grayson but the squad were drifting. Both have revitalised the Eagles
James Gooday: The main reason for Essex seemingly winning the league is because we have our first decent spinner since Kaneria
Bring It On Dan: Harmer first half of the season and Porter 2nd (Winter trip to Aus?). Can't underestimate Cook being available for first half.
A lot of love for coach Chris Silverwood and spinner Simon Harmer. A good point in that last tweet about Alastair Cook's contribution.
Warwickshire 201 & 20-3 (9 overs) v Essex 369-9 dec
There is just no stopping Essex this morning.
This wicket comes with a little bit of luck as Trott plays a drive that dribbles onto the stumps but Sam Cook is now among the wickets.
Warwickshire's fate is already all-but sealed but now they've lost their skipper as they struggle at Edgbaston.
Warwickshire 201 & 20-2 (9 overs) v Essex 369-9 dec
Jamie Porter is still testing the Warwickshire batsmen but for now the very experienced pair of Jonathan Trott and Ian Bell are keeping him out.
Trott has move to six not out with one boundary but, like Bell who is yet to get off the mark, he has been forced to be largely defensive.
Image source, PABatsman Brendan Taylor has left Division Two leaders Nottinghamshire with immediate effect to return home to Zimbabwe. The club have agreed to release him from his contract, which was due to expire at the end of the season, for family reasons.
"Winning two trophies for Notts in these past few months, including one at Lord’s, has been a real highlight in my career, and given me moments that I will never forget," said Taylor, who helped the club win the One-Day Cup and T20 Blast this season.
Lancashire 133 & 28-0 f/o (12 overs) v Somerset 335
And they're under way at Somerset as Lancashire continue to follow on against their hosts.
Alex Davies and Haseeb Hameed made it through to the close last night but how will they fare today?
Craig Overton starts with the ball after two wickets as Lancashire were bundled out yesterday.
Northants have made a good start to day three at Cardiff where Rory Kleinveldt has removed Jack Murphy and Jacques Rudolph in successive overs to leave Glamorgan on 69-3 - still 34 behind.
Daniel Bell-Drummond has completed an 89-ball half-century for Kent against Gloucestershire at Bristol, where the visitors have moved on to 90-2.
No wickets yet for Sussex against Derbyshire, who are 51-1 with Ben Slater 20 not out and Wayne Madsen on 17, and 118 runs in front.
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Kevin Roome: The recruitment by Silverwood has been excellent (will Yorkshire come calling?) the squad have all contributed
Al Hunter: Like Leicester in the PL, I think Essex have flown under the radar. May not be flashy but bat/bowl have ALL delivered
Neil Fowler: Essex are playing for fun again, as they did under Taylor, Fletcher and Gooch, and they're winning - thanks to Silverwood.
The dream start for Essex.
A wicket in each of Jamie Porter's first two overs. Brilliant bowling from the 24-year-old.
Check out the two wickets to fall in the videos below. We'll bring you the best clips from Edgbaston throughout the day.
Surrey 592 v Yorkshire 181-2 (57 overs)
So, no century for Shaun Marsh, who adds just one run to his overnight score before overbalancing as he tries to advance out of his crease to Freddie van den Bergh.
The new batsman is Yorkshire skipper Gary Ballance. Wonder whether he's still in the frame for another England recall with the Ashes tour coming up this winter?
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Leicestershire 404 v Worcestershire 304-5 (75 overs)
Worcestershire lose a wicket at New Road as spinner Callum Parkinson claims his fourth victim by having Josh Tongue stumped. Brett D'Oliveira is still there on 132 and Ravichandran Ashwin announces his arrival with two boundaries off pace bowler Zak Chappell.
Cricket. The summer game. Sunshine. Long lazy days. Deckchairs around the boundary. Ice cream. Body-warming top. Woolly hat. Hang on a moment......
Oh well, at least Somerset director of cricket Matthew Maynard is wearing sunglasses.
Image source, Rex Features#bbccricket
Laurie Hann: Surely Porter is going to get a seat on the plane for the winter? His record this season speaks for itself.
His figures so far in this innings - three overs, one maiden, two wickets for eight runs. He has six in the match and 63 for the season, more than anyone else.
Surrey 592 v Yorkshire 181-1 (56 overs)
The Yorkshire batsmen cannot allow themselves to be tied down by Surrey's spinners and Alex Lees clears the rope at long-on off Freddie van den Bergh as a show of intent by the visitors. He can make nothing of Gareth Batty's next over though, and it's a maiden.
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Essex are seemingly on the brink of a seventh Championship title after mightily impressive campaign and start this morning.
But what do you think has made them stand out from the rest?
Is it their batting from Browne, Westley, Lawrence and co? Their bowling with Jamie Porter and Simon Harmer, the leading wicket-takers in the competition? Their use of overseas players with the introduction of Mohammad Amir and Neil Wagner? Or maybe something else.
Let us know what you think on Twitter at #bbccricket.
Warwickshire 201 & 14-2 (4.3 overs) v Essex 369-9 dec
And another! What a start for Essex!
Jamie Porter just keeps on attacking the stumps and another pitched up delivery arrows in on Sam Hain's pads. There's a little bit of doubt as to whether Hain got outside the line but replays show it was a good decision.
Ian Bell joins Jonathan Trott in the middle.
Warwickshire 201 & 14-1 (4 overs) v Essex 369-9 dec
That early wicket for Jamie Porter will surely settle any nerves in the Essex camp as they look to seal the title win.
Sam Cook starts from the other end but he's not quite as accurate as Porter and Sam Hain is able to drive the first runs of the morning.