Surrey had the cushion of a 20-point lead over Championship rivals Essex going into this final round.
The Division One leaders begin the morning session in the full knowledge that a first innings score of 300 will be enough to win back to back titles.
Even if they score less than that, a draw or a win would still give them an unassailable lead over second-place Essex.
Ryan Patel and Sai Sudharsan will try to repair the Surrey innings after the early loss of openers Rory Burns and Dom Sibley late in the piece on Day One, both to Mohammad Abbas.
James Fuller will bowl from the Pavilion End to Sudharsan.
Last chance to pick your XI
There's still time to pick your county team of the season. Voting closes at midday and the team will be revealed on Friday...
As ever our BBC local radio teams are providing live ball-by-ball radio commentary from all nine matches.
To tune in, click on the audio links at the top of this page.
Day one scores
Division One
Hants 219 v Surrey 47-2
Kent v Lancs 327
Northants 279-6 v Essex
Notts v Middlesex 162-3
Warwickshire v Somerset 180-8
Division Two
Durham 409-5 v Leics
Glamorgan v Derbys 308-2
Sussex 202 v Gloucs 136-6
Yorkshire v Worcs 280-5
Worcestershire on the verge...
Yorkshire v Worcestershire 280-5
Rex FeaturesCopyright: Rex Features
Worcestershire need just another 20 runs this morning at Headingley to get the extra batting bonus point they need for promotion.
With five wickets in hand, it would take something extraordinary to stop them.
If they go up, they'll join champions Durham who have been piling on the runs against Leicestershire in this round.
Who needs what in Div One?
Getty ImagesCopyright: Getty Images
Champions elect Surrey need just two more points from their game at Hampshire to make it back-to-back titles.
They resume on 47-2 and if they get to 300 inside 110 overs, that'll give them the two batting bonus points required for the trophy.
Second-placed Essex are the only side who can stop them, but they need to beat Northants, hope Surrey lose (and don't score 300) and take a bumper haul of points.
Kent and Middlesex are both battling to avoid the drop. If Kent better Middlesex's points total they'll stay up.
Post update
Rex FeaturesCopyright: Rex Features
Morning!
Storm Agnes may be rolling in from the west, but thankfully we should get plenty of cricket in before she arrives.
And what a day we've got in store.
The county champions could be crowned and one team needs just 20 runs for promotion from Division Two.
Live Reporting
Gary Smee, Alex Hoad and Ben Pheazey
All times stated are UK
Day two begins at Southampton
Hants 219 v Surrey 47-2
Surrey had the cushion of a 20-point lead over Championship rivals Essex going into this final round.
The Division One leaders begin the morning session in the full knowledge that a first innings score of 300 will be enough to win back to back titles.
Even if they score less than that, a draw or a win would still give them an unassailable lead over second-place Essex.
Ryan Patel and Sai Sudharsan will try to repair the Surrey innings after the early loss of openers Rory Burns and Dom Sibley late in the piece on Day One, both to Mohammad Abbas.
James Fuller will bowl from the Pavilion End to Sudharsan.
Last chance to pick your XI
There's still time to pick your county team of the season. Voting closes at midday and the team will be revealed on Friday...
Pick your county team of the 2023 season
Who has impressed you in the County Championship this summer? Pick your team of the 2023 season using our selector.
Read moreListen live
Every ball covered
As ever our BBC local radio teams are providing live ball-by-ball radio commentary from all nine matches.
To tune in, click on the audio links at the top of this page.
Day one scores
Division One
Hants 219 v Surrey 47-2
Kent v Lancs 327
Northants 279-6 v Essex
Notts v Middlesex 162-3
Warwickshire v Somerset 180-8
Division Two
Durham 409-5 v Leics
Glamorgan v Derbys 308-2
Sussex 202 v Gloucs 136-6
Yorkshire v Worcs 280-5
Worcestershire on the verge...
Yorkshire v Worcestershire 280-5
Worcestershire need just another 20 runs this morning at Headingley to get the extra batting bonus point they need for promotion.
With five wickets in hand, it would take something extraordinary to stop them.
If they go up, they'll join champions Durham who have been piling on the runs against Leicestershire in this round.
Who needs what in Div One?
Champions elect Surrey need just two more points from their game at Hampshire to make it back-to-back titles.
They resume on 47-2 and if they get to 300 inside 110 overs, that'll give them the two batting bonus points required for the trophy.
Second-placed Essex are the only side who can stop them, but they need to beat Northants, hope Surrey lose (and don't score 300) and take a bumper haul of points.
Kent and Middlesex are both battling to avoid the drop. If Kent better Middlesex's points total they'll stay up.
Post update
Morning!
Storm Agnes may be rolling in from the west, but thankfully we should get plenty of cricket in before she arrives.
And what a day we've got in store.
The county champions could be crowned and one team needs just 20 runs for promotion from Division Two.
Stay right here for all the action...