Surrey need to avoid defeat to wrap up title
Leaders set 272 to win after five Morkel wickets
Coad shines as Yorks close in on Roses win
Essex given 282 target to beat Notts
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Division One
Division Two
Durham 103 & 220-4 v Sussex 122
I don't think Durham bowler Chris Rushworth will forget his Tuesday in a hurry.
On top of his 8-51 against third-placed Sussex - his best bowling figures in four years - his side are now doing it with the bat too, building a considerable lead at Chester-le-Street.
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Leaders Warwickshire, who began this set of fixtures seven points clear on top, look well placed to beat Leicestershire at Grace Road.
And, if last pair Chris Woakes and Jeetan Patel can club a further 16 runs from two overs this morning, in a potentially exciting start to the day, they will gain maximum batting points.
But they could well be replaced on top of Division Two this morning if second-placed Kent go on to complete their expected victory over Middlesex at Lord's.
Image source, Getty ImagesThey resume on 104-4, needing just 52 more runs to win - with Heino Kuhn well set on 26 and Daniel Bell-Drummond on 27.
As for third-placed Sussex, that could now go either way against Durham at Chester-le-Street.
After both sides were bowled out cheaply in their first innings, Durham have rallied well to reach 220-4 second time around, thanks to an unbeaten century from California-born Australian Cameron Steel. And they now lead by a healthy 201 runs with six wickets remaining.
It's been a wet start in Wales, the Midlands and the east - but the rain is clearing.
There'll be sunshine for many of us, with just a few showers in the north and west.
We'll keep you updated with any stoppages in play.
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There are also other big issues to be sorted - not least who goes down from Division One and who comes up from Division Two.
If bottom club Worcestershire - the only side not to have been beaten by Surrey in the Championship this season - do spring a surprise, then that would throw the whole relegation equation wide open.
And nowhere is that more keenly felt than at Headingley, where Yorkshire and Lancashire are locked in a tightly-contested Roses match that carries with it more added impact than ever. Whoever loses will probably go down.
Image source, Getty ImagesYorkshire resume day three on 127-3 in their second innings, with an 84-run lead. if morning wickets tumble there, then the hosts would be on the back foot.
But, if overnight pair Gary Ballance and Tom Kohler-Cadmore carry on in the same calm, calculating manner with which they batted on Tuesday and build a 200-plus lead, then Yorkshire, who also have a game in hand on their Roses rivals, would become favourites.
This is Lancashire's penultimate match before finishing their season at Southampton against Hampshire in the final week - and one they probably must win.
There's just 10 playing days left of the 2018 County Championship season - and nothing is decided yet.
That could change today at Worcester, where county champions elect Surrey stand poised for their first title since 2002 - with just four more points needed.
If they reach 400 within the 110 over cut-off mark and gain maximum batting bonus points against Worcestershire, that would take them over the line - to win the title, with still two full games left to play.
Image source, Getty ImagesBut it will be a tall order. At 213-6 overnight, in reply to the Pears' 336, they are still 187 short of that 400 target, with just four wickets in hand. And the job must be done within 110 overs - leaving 54 overs in which to do it.
Given the generally harder early morning batting conditions at New Road that come with 10.30 starts, it will be a tough ask against a Worcestershire side desperately needing points to stay up. But Surrey do have skipper Rory Burns still at the crease, well set on 103. And they do still have a hopefully fit-again Ben Foakes to call on. He is available to bat, having been ill yesterday.
All to play for then at New Road.