Surrey are on the brink of securing a second successive County Championship after Essex’s title charge was dealt a hammer-blow by a dramatic defeat to Hampshire.
The defending champions were themselves forced to bat out a draw against bottom side Northamptonshire at the Oval, but extended their lead at the top of Division One to 20 points heading into next week’s final round of games, after Hampshire completed a superb run-chase in the final over of the day at Chelmsford.
