Summary

  • Essex earn draw to win title despite collapsing after tea

  • Jack Leach took 5-32 before Somerset forfeited second innings

  • Marcus Trescothick on field as sub fielder at end of game before retiring

  • Gloucs & Northants promoted after Glamorgan game abandoned

  • Final day also washed out at Canterbury, Edgbaston, The Oval and Hove

Live Reporting

Paul Grunill and Ben Pheazey

  1. 'Don't stop believing' - Hurry

    Somerset 203 v Essex 25-0

    Andy HurryGetty

    Somerset director of cricket Andy Hurry was in no mood to give up on their title dream last evening despite a wet patch on the outfield preventing any play on the third day against Essex.

    He insisted their would be no "white flag" thinking from his players if they manage to get out on the field for the final day's play, despite needing to somehow take 20 Essex wickets to have a chance of winning.

    “Our challenge has become stiffer, but having displayed courage, conviction and belief all season, we are not going to lose it overnight," said Hurry.

    "I have total belief in our players and staff. This summer there has been some amazing cricket, with huge twists and turns. Anything can happen and we have to keep believing.”

  2. Weather outlook

    Somerset 203 v Essex 25-0 (after day three)

    So what are the chances of play today at Taunton?

    "We'll see a mix of sunny spells and quite heavy showers later on," says BBC Points West forecaster Dan Downs.

    Good news for Essex - dismal for Somerset.

  3. KENT DRAW WITH HAMPSHIRE

    Kent 147 v Hants 80-3 - no play on Thursday

    The rain has claimed a few early victims this morning, including the Division One game at Canterbury.

    Unless Yorkshire pull off a near-impossible win at Edgbaston, where there's no play before lunch, Hampshire are set to finish third and Kent fourth.

    Hampshire take eight points and Kent six.

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  4. GLOUCS AND NORTHANTS PROMOTED

    Gloucestershire 220-7 v Northamptonshire - match abandoned as draw

    Gloucestershire skipper Chris DentGetty Images

    There will be a double promotion party at Bristol today with Gloucestershire and Northamptonshire joining Lancashire in Division One next season following the abandonment of Glamorgan's game against Durham at the Riverside.

    Only the Welsh county could have prevented them both going into the top flight for 2020 and their match was called off as a draw following an 09:00 inspection.

    At 09:50, the umpires at Bristol decided there would be no play there either, with Gloucestershire taking six points for the draw and Northants seven.

    The result means Northants finish second behind champions Lancashire, with Gloucestershire third and back in Division One for the first time since 2005.

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  5. Damp start at Taunton

    Somerset 203 v Essex 25-0

    However much we might wish for an exciting finish, the English weather looks like denying us one.

    The umpires were due to take a look at Taunton at 09:30 - but......

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  6. Good morning

    Essex win title in 2017Getty Images

    This was the scene at Chelmsford two years ago when Essex became county champions for the seventh time.

    And today we will be witnessing something very similar, involving many of the same faces, barring what would be a quite extraordinary turn of events at Taunton.

    Mind you, people were probably thinking it was misson impossible before Ben Stokes got going against Australia at Headingley, and look what happened there.

    Welcome to our coverage of the final day of the 2019 County Championship.