Well it's very soggy, and early, finish to our coverage of this week's matches.

We've been robbed of potentially a few good final afternoons.

But there was just enough time for Surrey and Essex to complete victories and it's Surrey who remain on course for another title.

Just a three-day turnaround until the next round of matches, so join us on Tuesday for more from the County Championship.

Until then, enjoy your Saturday.

Rain has also claimed the final day at Edgbaston.

And with it, Lancashire's chances of forcing a third win of the season after they led by 297.

Lancs are sixth in the table, 35 points clear of the bottom two.

Bears were hoping to keep their title push going this week but they have been on the back foot.

They're 37 points behind Surrey - but do have a game in hand so you never know.

The umpires have had a polite look after lunch at Cheltenham College and decided no play is possible today.

But this game started on Thursday so they still have tomorrow to try and entertain the festival crowds.

Rain has been just about the only thing to stop Durham this season.

And they won't have the chance to force another victory today because the umpires have abandoned the day at Derby.

Brooke Guest made a career-best 197 for Derbyshire before David Bedingham's 138 helped give Durham a big lead.

They won't be able to turn it into a sixth win of the season - but they do extend their lead at the top of Division Two to 49 points with four games to go.

Derbyshire remain without a win in nine games.

As the rain shows no sign of abating the umpires have decided that no play will be possible today at Headingley and the game is abandoned in a draw.

Frustration for the hosts who would have been eyeing a victory today.

Jonny Tattersall's side tried their utmost to win inside three days, but 58 apiece for opener Tom Clark and wicketkeeper Oli Carter went a long way to thwarting them yesterday.

The result means Sussex remain unbeaten but they have now drawn nine of their ten games this season - and that's also six draws in nine games for Yorkshire.

We'll put a hold on today's live text while it's raining at our four remaining grounds.

As soon as we have any news we'll let you know.

And now we await news from Edgbaston, Headingley, Derby and Cheltenham.

Got to say folks... it's not looking promising.

They're going to have a look at Cheltenham College just after lunch.

But it will surely be to confirm that day three is abandoned.

It's hammering down in Gloucestershire and did so all last night too.

Such a shame to lose more time at the festival.

Essex would have been nervous about the weather forecast having not got the job done last night.

But the skies have remained clear enough and Essex have taken only an hour to get the job done.

They controlled the game after bowling Kent out very cheaply on the first day but were made to work very hard in the third innings,

A fourth consecutive win and they are doing their best to keep the pressure on Surrey.

They're 14 points behind the leaders and one point behind second-placed Hampshire.

Kent remain deep in relegation trouble but at least Middlesex haven't got any draw points either today so Kent's cushion to the bottom two will remain 11.

A couple for Tom Latham sees Surrey over the line to seal another win for the Division One leaders.

Will Jacks didn't quite have time to get a half-century as he made an unbeaten 45.

So all over pretty quickly at Lord's as Middlesex lost their one remaining wicket after two balls and Surrey knocked off the 78 runs required in 11.1 overs.

Tom Helm picked up the wickets of Jamie Smith and Rory Burns in Surrey's second innings to cap a fine individual performance in defeat, taking eight wickets.

A good yorker from Grant Stewart that Paul Walter digs out and gets a thick inside edge past the wicketkeeper for four.

A leading edge through cover brings two next ball to complete victory!

Image source, Rex Features

It's settled down a bit now as Will Jacks and Tom Latham keep eating away at the target which is now under 20.

It should be wrapped-up within about an hour of the start of play.

Jacks is on 38, so from a personal point of view, he will be aiming to get to 50 before we finish up here.

for Tom Lathampublished at 11:46 British Summer Time 22 July 2023

11:46 BST 22 July 2023

Middlesex v Surrey 54-2 (Surrey require 24 to win)

Tom Latham gets in on the act with a maximum from the first ball of the eighth over.

The ball has gone a fair way back and its status is currently missing!

Hopefully someone can locate it soon and we can get back under way.

Adam Rossington and Dan Lawrence have been sent out to get this done in as few balls as possible.

And half the target is grabbed up in the first over!

Kent throwing the ball to poor Hamidullah Qadri.

Just what Essex were after, wrapping up Kent's second innings in very quick time.

Simon Harmer finishes with 4-72 from a mighty 44.1 overs - he now has 41 wickets for the season, the third-best tally in Division One.

Sam Cook 4-46 and Essex are now primed for a fifth win of the season.

for Will Jackspublished at 11:34 British Summer Time 22 July 2023

11:34 BST 22 July 2023

Middlesex v Surrey 38-2 (Surrey require 40 more to win)

Will Jacks moves on to 26 as he despatches Ethan Bamber over the boundary rope for six.

He's taken on the run-scoring responsibility with Tom Latham on one at the other end.