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Rain
Everywhere, except The Oval where I can report gorgeous sunshine and a working coffee machine. Surrey won the toss and are bowling, though without Jordan Clark (ill). HH already has a boundary to a generous round of autumnal applause.
Tables
Division One
1 Surrey 186
2 Notts 185
3 Somerset 163
4 Warwicks 159
5 Essex 140
6 Sussex 138
7 Yorkshire 135
8 Hampshire 132
9 Durham 126
10 Worcestershire 92
Division Two
1 Leicestershire 205 (promoted)
2 Glamorgan 180
3 Derbyshire 153
4 Middlesex 150
5 Gloucestershire 146
6 Lancashire 139
7 Northamptonshire 137
8 Kent 109
Some news. Hot prospect Ben Kellaway has signed a three-year deal at Glamorgan, while Paul Coughlin will leave Durham this autumn.
Fixtures
Division One
Riverside: Durham v Worcestershire
Taunton: Somerset v Hampshire
The Oval: Surrey v Nottinghamshire
Hove: Sussex v Yorkshire
Edgbaston: Warwickshire v Essex
Division Two
The County Ground: Derbyshire v Glamorgan
Bristol: Gloucestershire v Northamptonshire
Old Trafford: Lancashire v Middlesex
Grace Road: Leicestershire v Kent
Preamble
Autumn is unpacking her suitcase as we roll into this penultimate round, sun shining on already rusting leaves, acorns everywhere, swallows almost gone. All eyes to The Oval where Surrey (first) play Nottinghamshire (second) in what could be the 2025 Championship decider. Surrey lead by just one point and with rain threatening the last two rounds, every bonus point is crucial.
Leicestershire confirmed promotion at a soggy Grace Road last week but want to go up as Champions, and they must have a good chance of clinching it against wooden spoonists Kent. There is a big match too at The County Ground, where promotion outsiders Derbyshire need to deliver Glamorgan a knockout blow to stop them joining Leicesteshire in Division One next year. They can find inspiration from last year’s match when Glamorgan lost by 10 wickets after tripping to to 32 for six in their first innings.
Do join us, play starts around the grounds at 10.30am. The coffee is brewing.