Image source, Rex Features

So after an exciting opening day of this final week, we are close to knowing the major outcome of the season.

After bowling out Hampshire for 219 with Tom Lawes the star (5-27), Surrey, who finished on 47-2, know that if they reach 300 inside 110 overs tomorrow, they will be champions again regardless of what Essex can do.

For Worcestershire, it's even simpler. Another 20 runs in the morning to get to 300 and they will be promoted.

However, at the bottom of Division One, things remain tense.

Kent have bowled Lancashire out for 327 and picked up three bowling points but have plenty of work to do with the bat.

While Middlesex have battled to 162-3 against Nottinghamshire, although they are yet to collect any points.

Whatever happens, there is a wonderful Wednesday.

Thanks for your company today. We'll be back from just after 10:00 BST in the morning.

Bad lights ends the day an over short.

A wonderful day for Surrey as they try to close out the title.

They won the toss and after a delayed start got quickly to work with the ball, reducing Hampshire to 117-7.

Ben Brown led a comeback, making 78, but Tom Lawes finished Hants off to complete figures of 5-27 as the hosts were dismissed for 219.

In reply, Dom Sibley and Rory Burns have both gone cheaply but Ryan Patel and Sai Sudharsan have got the champions-elect to the close.

If Surrey make 300 inside 110 overs they will be confirmed as champions once again. So tomorrow could be the day for the Brown Caps.

We lost 54 overs earlier in the day, but the game has moved on at a decent lick once we got going.

At 62-3 and then 93-3 when Stevie Eskinazi had to go after being hit on the head, Middlesex could have buckled after deciding to bat first.

But Ryan Higgins has stood firm once again with 60 and John Simpson's 26 has at least given them a platform.

They are still 88 runs away from a first batting point, but with two spinners in the team, they have the chance to give them something to bowl at when the time comes.

Somerset's lower-order has rallied superbly in that final hour at Edgbaston.

Neil Wagner led the fightback from 96-8 with an unbeaten 55 off just 50 balls - including 10 fours and a six.

His stand with Josh Davey is worth 84 and they'll look to push on beyond 200 in the morning.

Worcestershire are sitting pretty after their recovery from 67-4. Kashif Ali's 93 and an unbeaten 90 from captain Brett D'Oliveira have led that fightback.

The Pears are 20 runs away from Division One cricket in 2024.

Expect that some time around 11am tomorrow morning, if we are OK to start on time.

Four overs still scheduled in West End.

The umpires have checked the light but on we go.

But it'll have to be spin at both ends so on comes Tom Prest for some off spin.

That's stumps on a day where 16 wickets have fallen.

After Matt Taylor's 5-24 helped bowl out Sussex for 202, Gloucestershire have struggled to 136-6 at the close.

A whole season without a victory is highly possible for Gloucestershire.

Some tidy stuff from Dom Bess and cautious batting late in the day means Worcestershire will probably have to wait for that second batting point for getting to 300.

Two overs to go this evening.

for Ryan Higginspublished at 18:05 British Summer Time 26 September 2023

18:05 BST 26 September 2023

Nottinghamshire v Middlesex 151-3

Calvin Harrison spears one down leg and Ryan Higgins pulls it fine for two valuable runs.

That sees Higgins reach his half-century. A ninth of the season, which is a terrific effort in a struggling batting line-up.

The job is far from done here, though.

Liam Dawson thrown the ball with the shadows lengthening at the Ageas Bowl.

His left-arm spin almost deceives Ryan Patel third ball with some flight but he sees out the over.

Five more to come.

partnershippublished at 18:00 British Summer Time 26 September 2023

18:00 BST 26 September 2023

Nottinghamshire v Middlesex 146-3

A loose opener from Dane Paterson is cut away for four by Ryan Higgins.

That is the 50 partnership between him and John Simpson, since Stevie Eskinazi had to go off with concussion.

partnershippublished at 17:57 British Summer Time 26 September 2023

17:57 BST 26 September 2023

Yorkshire v Worcestershire 272-5

The floodlights are coming on at Headingley as Ben Allison smashes a Dom Bess ball through the covers.

That is 50 off 65 balls between Allison and D'Oliveira.

We have six overs left tonight - Worcestershire need 28 runs to become a Division One team.

Sai Sudharsan has just angled and then tucked Kyle Abbott for two boundaries in an over.

Surrey trying to get to the close without further damage.

Eight overs to go.

It's been another fine day for Durham's batters.

The Division Two champions picked up another four batting bonus points to take them to a record-breaking 53 for the season.

Centuries for David Bedingham and Graham Clark put Leicestershire to the sword, whose own promotion hopes are all but over.

Derbyshire, without a win all season, might finally be in the hunt for a victory!

An unbeaten 139 from opener Luis Reece has put them in command against Glamorgan.

This game is also making a bit of history with Sue Redfern becoming the first female umpire to stand in a men's first-class game in England and Wales.

Image source, Getty Images

John Simpson gets his fourth boundary with a nice flick through the legside off Brett Hutton.

He and Ryan Higgins have now put on 40 since Simpson came out to replace Stevie Eskinazi, who went off injured.

Whisper it quietly, but by Middlesex's modest batting standards of 2023, they are going quite nicely.

Ben Allison pulls a George Hill ball to the midwicket fence. Fine shot from Allison.

That is a first batting point for Worcestershire. It did not look likely at 67-4.

They only need 49 more runs to seal promotion to Division One!

That must be one of the shortest showers and rain stoppages in history!

The batters return and we are back under way.

And on the first ball back, Steven Mullaney has hurt himself in diving to stop a John Simpson drive.

Mullaney is clutching his shoulder and the physio is on.

The incoming inclement weather at Wantage Road has now arrived and that'll be it for the day.

Rob Keogh's unbeaten 154 has ensured the game remains in the balance.

Essex need a victory and a big haul of points to stand any chance of being crowned champions.