Image source, Rex Features

Middlesex earn a batting point at Uxbridge but Fidel Edwards ends their innings by bowling John Simpson. Impressive figures of 5-79 for the Hampshire fast bowler - the 20th time he has achieved the feat in a first-class innings.

I mentioned the Essex coach earlier and here they are keeping up to date with the score from Taunton on their way back from Birmingham.

We're told a number of the players are heading to the County Ground at Chelmsford to celebrate their title win.

Kevin Howells is there for BBC Radio 5 live sports extra.

Rain hold-up at New Roadpublished at 11:24 British Summer Time 15 September 2017

11:24 BST 15 September 2017

Leicestershire 404 & 174-7 v Worcestershire 493

Double frustration for promotion-chasing Worcestershire - they haven't been able to separate Leicestershire's overnight pair and now rain has arrived at New Road.

The visitors have done very well this morning, extending their lead to 85, with Zak Chappell 49 not out and Lewis Hill on 31. These two have added 63 in 13.4 overs so far.

Image source, Rex Features

Now Marcus Trescothick joins the party!

He crashes consecutive fours off Kyle Jarvis. Somerset are not hanging around. They want to get this over with before the rain that is forecast later arrives.

The runs required total is below 50.

A first boundary for Somerset at Taunton.

It comes off the bat of Edward Byrom as he drives through backward point for four.

And again! Four more. Poor bowling from Ryan McLaren, that's too wide.

There haven't been any signs of serious demons in this pitch. Essex will be happy to hear that.

Talking of Mason Crane (see 11:14 entry), he is into the attack for the first time at Uxbridge and his first over is an expensive one as Middlesex add 13 to their total. Eight more needed now by the home side for a batting point.

The England selectors seem convinced that Hampshire's Mason Crane is the best young spinner in county cricket. Surely, though, Somerset off-spinner Dom Bess could also stake a claim to that title. And what about his more experienced spin bowling team-mate Jack Leach - hasn't he done enough to stake a claim to England honours? What do you think?

A leg bye starts the run chase for Somerset before a couple off the bat for Edward Byrom.

Neither Somerset's fans and nor Essex's will care how they get to this total.

They need 65 more runs to win.

In Division Two, Northamptonshire have had an excellent first half hour as they chase down 218 to beat Glamorgan and keep their promotion hopes alive.

With nightwatchman Simon Kerrigan and Rob Newton at the crease they have moved from 42-1 to 76-1.

That means they need another 142 runs to win with nine wickets left.

Image source, Rex Features

There is no doubt that Essex's Jamie Porter has made a case to be involved in England's tour to Australia this winter. But what about Somerset's Craig Overton? He's bowled some 'serious' spells this summer and 42 Championship wickets is perhaps fewer than he has deserved. So what about big Craig for a trip to Oz? Get in touch and give us your opinion.

If Essex are still on their way to Chelmsford via coach from Birmingham then they need to tell their driver to get a shift on.

Somerset need only 68 runs for a win that would give them the title.

The run chase will be starting shortly...

Scott Read
BBC Radio Lancashire at Taunton on BBC Radio 5 live sports extra

This match has worked treat for Somerset. The whole game has been set up beautifully by them.

Lancashire's decision to let them bat first would have been music to their ears.

Leach and Bess have been terrific. The record they have got together is outstanding.

Positive batting by Leicestershire so far this morning with Zak Chappell utilising the reverse sweep in making his way to 36 not out off 29 balls. The lead, though, is still only 66.

Image source, Getty

Pace bowler Jamie Porter has undoubtedly been one of the stars of Essex's march towards the title, and match figures of 7-99 in their win over Warwickshire took his seasonal wickets tally to 64.

Today they are following events at Taunton, where Somerset will confirm them as champions if they defeat Lancashire.

“I knew this was a big challenge for me this year and a big step up. But I’ve wanted to be the go-to man, the guy the captain throws the ball to when we need a wicket, the one he can rely on and I’ve loved every minute of it," Porter told BBC Essex.

“It’s an unreal feeling to be honest but we feel we’ve got every base covered. When we show up at grounds we think, if they’ve prepared a green one we’ve got the seam attack to win the game. If they prepare a turning pitch we’ve got the best spinner in county cricket.”

Surrey start with a mixed attack of spin and seam as Gareth Batty gives the ball to Sam Curran and Freddie van den Bergh. No major alarms yet for Yorkshire, though, as Alex Lees and Shaun Marsh each find the boundary in van den Bergh's latest over. Both batsmen now into the 30s and they have a 50 partnership.

Tom Bailey (8 not out) sees out the following over at Taunton, bowled by spinner Jack Leach.

Somerset have two slips in place and interestingly the second slip, who I think is Marcus Trescothick under the helmet, is on his knees fielding as he waits for the catch! It looks brilliant.

Bailey survived that over but I worry for Lancashire with Matt Parkinson facing Craig Overton. Parkinson has only scored 16 runs in his career.