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. Varun Chopra
    Essex batsman on BBC 5 Live Sports Extra

    "I wonder if we'll see Marcus Trescothick on the field one more time in a Somerset shirt."

  2. Essex 33-0 - target 63

    Browne 5, A Cook 28

    Marcus Trescothick is pacing the boundary edge with drinks as Dom Bess returns to the attack.

    Nick Browne works the ball to leg for a single. It's the only run from the over.

  4. Kevin Howells
    BBC 5 Live Sports Extra

    "I hope we don't come off for bad light but the floodlights are on."

  5. Essex 32-0 - target 63

    Browne 4, A Cook 28

    Roelof van der Merwe comes in again and there are three runs for Alastair Cook to start the over as he clips it away through the leg-side. Nick Browne adds a single. Another over gone.

  6. Kevin Howells
    BBC 5 Live Sports Extra

    "I have to say it was always slim, very outside but there was that onward momentum."

  7. Essex 28-0 - target 63

    Browne 3, A Cook 25

    Nick Browne pads up and Jack Leach appeals. That struck him a long way outside off-stump - and the umpire decides it's not out.

    A full toss is played to mid-wicket, but the fielder denies Browne runs. It's a maiden.

    There's about 30 mins left - Somerset need 10 wickets, Essex need 35 runs or just to bat out the time.

  8. Essex 28-0 - target 63

    Browne 3, A Cook 25

    Here's the change. Roelof van der Merwe replaces Dom Bess.

    Alastair Cook works the ball towards long leg and runs through for two.

    Two balls later, van der Merwe drops short and he pulls away for four.

    The next one is exactly the same, and Cook makes the most of it again.

    Poor bowling - but there's a bat-pad chance from the final delivery which just eludes James Hildreth at forward short leg.

  9. Daniel Norcross
    BBC 5 Live Sports Extra

    "This is the point where I would think... shall we just have a dart?"

  10. Essex 18-0 - target 63

    Browne 3, A Cook 15

    Nick Browne is solely focused on preserving his wicket - we won't see much of that in The Hundred next summer - but he collects two from a thick edge to third man.

    It's getting to 'now or never' stage for Somerset.

  11. Get Involved

    Tweet us at #bbccricket

    From @JezzaD1972: "#bbccricket as an Essex, Saracens and West Ham fan whose weekend was pretty spectacular please, please Essex dont do a West Ham today and burst my bubbles!"

    From @PritchDan: "Find me a neutral not wanting Somerset to bowl Essex out...I'll wait! #Trescothick#bbccricket"

  12. Essex 16-0 - target 63

    Browne 1, A Cook 15

    Dom Bess strays onto Alastair Cook pads and there are two runs to backward square.

    He doesn't learn the lesson and the final delivery brings the same result.

    Will Somerset make a change?

  13. Daniel Norcross
    BBC 5 Live Sports Extra

    "Somerset require ten wickets. They're highly unlikely to get it but they're certainly making it exciting."

  14. Get Involved

    Tweet us at #bbccricket

    From @Titans_dg: "If @SomersetCCC pull off the impossible could they be deducted points for a sub par surface? #bbccricket"

  15. Essex 12-0 - target 63

    Browne 1, A Cook 11

    Alastair Cook clips to mid-wicket but Tom Abell throws himself full length to prevent a run.

    There's nothing Somerset can do about the next one as Jack Leach overpitches and Alastair Cook cover drives for four.

    Cook really is the most reassuring presence and he clips away behind square for a single.

    Nick Browne blocks out the last two deliveries. Another over gone.

  16. Varun Chopra
    Essex batsman on BBC 5 Live Sports Extra

    "When he does hit that length it's guesswork really for the two left-handers."

  17. Essex 7-0 - target 63

    Browne 1, A Cook 6

    There is a man in the stands wearing a parrot suit. One of these teams is going to be 'sick as' when this match is over.

    Dom Bess beats Alastair Cook - who according to 5 Live Sports Extra summariser Varun Chopra does not sweat - before the left-hander pushes a single to mid-wicket.

    Nick Browne turns one past Nick Browne's bat. Another near thing.

  18. Essex 6-0 - target 63

    Browne 1, A Cook 5

    Alastair Cook drives but is denied a boundary for the second time by the body of silly mid-off. Hope he has some bruise ointment in his kit bag.

    Cook takes a single and Nick Browne is confronted by one which barely bounces. An anxious moment, but he survives.

  19. Daniel Norcross
    BBC 5 Live Sports Extra

    "Essex still very, very strong favourites to survive the 13 remaining overs."

  20. Essex 5-0 - target 63

    Browne 1, A Cook 4

    TV shows that Dom Bess is bowling slightly quicker than in the first innings. Adrenalin?

    It's another maiden - but one wicket and who knows what might happen.