ianstone
09-16-2010, 04:44 PM
County cricket – final day as it happened
• Nottinghamshire win the County Championship (http://www.guardian.co.uk/sport/2010/sep/16/nottinghamshire-win-county-championship)
• Watch county cricket video highlights (http://www.guardian.co.uk/sport/interactive/2009/may/07/england-cricket-video-highlights)
• Andrew Flintoff has retired from all cricket (http://www.guardian.co.uk/sport/2010/sep/16/andrew-flintoff-confirms-retirement-cricket)
• Westfield charged with fraud over Essex-Durham match (http://www.guardian.co.uk/sport/2010/sep/16/mervyn-westfield-charged-fraud-essex)
• View all today's scores with with our live scoreboard (http://www.guardian.co.uk/sport/countychampionship1stdivisioncricket)
http://static.guim.co.uk/static/94278/common/styles/images/icon_reddit.gif (http://reddit.com/submit?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.guardian.co.uk%2Fsport %2Fblog%2F2010%2Fsep%2F16%2Fcounty-cricket-final-day-live-blog)
http://static.guim.co.uk/static/94278/common/styles/images/icon_buzz.gif (http://uk.buzz.yahoo.com/buzz?publisherurn=the_guardian665&targetUrl=http://www.guardian.co.uk/sport/blog/2010/sep/16/county-cricket-final-day-live-blog&summary=%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ENews+blog%3A%3C%2Fstron g%3E+Join+Vic+Marks%2C+David+Hopps%2C+Andy+Wilson+ and+Paul+Rees+around+the+grounds+for+coverage+of+t he+county+season%27s+dramatic+final+day%3C%2Fp%3E&headline= County cricket - final day as it happened | Sport | guardian.co.uk)<LI class="third-party-tool facebook edge" sizcache="4" sizset="63">http://static.guim.co.uk/static/94278/common/styles/images/icon_facebook.gif (http://www.facebook.com/share.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.guardian.co.uk%2Fspor t%2Fblog%2F2010%2Fsep%2F16%2Fcounty-cricket-final-day-live-blog)<LI class="tweet b3" sizcache="4" sizset="64">Tweet this (http://twitter.com/home?status=County+cricket+-+final+day+as+it+happened+http%3A%2F%2Fgu.com%2Fp% 2F2jmx9%2Ftw)(10) (http://topsy.com/tb/www.guardian.co.uk/sport/blog/2010/sep/16/county-cricket-final-day-live-blog)
Comments (869) (http://www.guardian.co.uk/sport/blog/2010/sep/16/county-cricket-final-day-live-blog#start-of-comments)
http://static.guim.co.uk/sys-images/Sport/Pix/columnists/2010/9/16/1284656899589/Nottinghamshire-celebrate-007.jpg Nottinghamshire celebrate their County Championship Division One title. Photograph: Richard Heathcote/Getty Images 8.45am Morning. This is it.
What we do know: later today, on a northern Test ground, a group of champagne-drenched men will be photographed bouncing in unison behind a board marked "LV=". The scenes of glee will be a fitting end to a remarkable county championship season.
What we don't know: will it be Chris Read, Marcus Trescothick or Andrew Gale in the middle of the photographs?
Vic Marks, David Hopps, Andy Wilson and Paul Rees will be at their posts with updates through the day, both above and below the line.
8.55am: Here's Lord Selvey on this year's championship denouement (http://www.guardian.co.uk/sport/blog/2010/sep/16/countychampionship1stdivisioncricket-cricket). This is a taster:
In theory I should be dispassionate about the final destination of the championship trophy. My county loyalties (something that pertained in the old days) still lie with Middlesex, although I hope Glamorgan can hoist themselves up. However, if pushed, and at risk of alienating others from this parish, I would have to say I would not begrudge Somerset if they sneaked through on the rails. Yorkshire have had plenty of times to celebrate, almost twice as many as the nearest rival, and indeed I was actually at the crease (non-striker) when they clinched the last of their great run through the 1960s. Likewise Nottinghamshire. But Somerset supporters, while enjoying their various one-day successes with the accompanying jolly up to London, have never seen the championship pennant fly over the Taunton pavilion.
8.56am: Where were you on 9 April? That's when it all began. Gordon Brown was prime minister, England were about to win the football World Cup and 18 sides were setting out on the county championship trail. There are nine teams in the First Division and a third of them still have a chance of winning on the last day of the season: Nottinghamshire, Somerset and Yorkshire.
Yesterday's blog (http://www.guardian.co.uk/sport/blog/2010/sep/15/county-cricket-live) brought us to this point. Notts need to negotiate a double declaration with Lancashire, after managing only 28 overs in three days so far.
Somerset need to nip out some more Durham wickets and wrap up victory in 84 overs before they fly down to London for Saturday's CB40 final.
At Headingley Yorkshire and Kent need to hurry on to a position where a result is gettable. Yorkshire to keep their faint title hopes alive. Kent to have a chance of staying up, depending on how Hampshire do at home to Warwickshire.
How they stand this morning:
Somerset 211pts
Nottinghamshire 205
Yorkshire 203
9.07am: The Second Division promotion race has gone to the last day too. Glamorgan are in pole position, but are being made to struggle by Derbyshire in Cardiff. Worcestershire could leapfrog them with a win - but they need to grab some more Sussex wickets pronto. Fourth-placed Leicestershire need victory to have any chance of coming up on the rails - and they are well placed against Northants.
Paul Rees will be patrolling the boundary at the Swalec Stadium to keep us up to date.
9.13am: The Headingley webcam on Yorkshire's website shows the covers off and groundstaff stooping over the pitch. A good sign. Pretty grey overhead mind.
9.24am: Sunny at Old Trafford, but happily not too sunny to send them off again. Chris Read is on Sky saying he will have to talk about run-chases with Mark Chilton later on. Somerset's captain Marcus Trescothick says conditions seem a bit better for bowling at (dry) Chester-le-Street this morning.
9.29am: So what do we think about contrived run-chases? This is what Kent captain Rob Key said yesterday:
"We are not in the business of handing championships to other teams. My team do not want to see a dull game of cricket, but I do not think it is right to hand out a ridiculous run-chase. If Yorkshire are going to win the title then they will have to do it properly."
But Yorkshire's captain Andrew Gale said:
"The way the championship has been this season we have seen sides set up games left, right and centre. I will have a chat with Key in the morning. We will have to come to a happy-medium, but I think that it will be a sorry state for English cricket if we do not have a good game of cricket on the final day."
9.31am: It's dry at the moment, writes Andy Wilson in Manchester, but it rained during the night. There are showers around so I think a full day's play would be unlikely. A prompt start might be touch and go.
9.50am: So this is the final county blog of the year. There was much discussion on yesterday's blog (http://www.guardian.co.uk/discussion/comment-permalink/7669274) about what happens next. Of course there's the Ashes - but could there be winter whimsy too? In his new role as Blogs editor, Sport, Steve Busfield will find the answers. The best way to stay in the loop is by subscribing to The Spin (http://www.guardian.co.uk/sport/signup/2010/mar/30/1), Andy Bull's weekly cricket email. When winter plans are put in place you'll read about them there first.
Last week the blog set itself the target of getting a Goochie (333 comments below the line). We did it. Yesterday we took aim at Brian Lara's Test record of 400. We did it. Now there's just one record left in sight. We couldn't round off the season by eclipsing Lara's 501... could we?
10.08am: Don't get carried away writes Andy Wilson at Old Trafford, but there is a chance of some play here, and maybe even a decent finish. The sun has been out for an hour or so, accelerating the drying-up process after some more heavy rain last night. We won't start on time, and that closes one of Nottinghamshire's doors into the last-chance saloon, as it means there won't be time for them to accumulate the six bonus points necessary to have any chance of pinching the title from Somerset. But the indications from Lancashire are that they will accept an invitation to chase a victory target, which would open up the possibility for Notts of claiming 16 points for the win. Having said all that, the target will not be a steep one, as Lancashire hold all the cards. And even as I'm writing, some ominous clouds are gathering at the Stretford End. Will keep you posted.
10.12am: It must be a big day: Isobel Lang is giving a bespoke County Championship weather forecast on Sky Sports News. Kind of dry but maybe a bit wet is the verdict.
10.18am: Talking of Sky Sports News, here are the permutations excellently put together by them:
•If Somerset, Notts or Yorkshire win and the other two lose the winning team are the champions
•If Notts beat Lancashire with a total of 22 points Somerset will not be champions
•If Somerset and Yorkshire both draw Notts will need nine points to be champions
•If Somerset and Yorkshire win and Notts fail to win, Somerset will be champions
•If Notts and Yorkshire win Notts will be champions
•If Somerset and Yorkshire both lose Notts would need six points to win
•If Notts and Somerset both lose Yorkshire would need to win to be champions
10.19am: There will be a prompt start in Cardiff, writes Paul Rees at the Swalec Stadium. Showers are forecast, but there are ripples of blue in the sky at the moment and the clouds are fluffy white. There should be more than a scattering of spectators given that the car park was full at 9.30, but maybe there is a sale on in town. Few seats are currently occupied.
The drama is likely to be on a different stage than this. Glamorgan's hopes of defeating Derbyshire are slim with the visitors 68 ahead on first innings with two wickets left, including that of the Llangennech born Steffan Jones, who is 29 not out and defying his home team, not for the first time this season.
If Worcestershire fail to bet Sussex at New Road, Glamorgan will be promoted. Leicestershire can reach the same number of points as the Welsh county, but they would lose out because both sides have the same number of wins and losses but Glamorgan have the better head-to-head record this season. So the champagne is on ice or rather, given Glamorgan's financial predicament, the beer is in the fridge.
10.22am: Andy Wilson writes below the line: Just confirmed the delayed start, another inspection at 11am - and Jack Birkenshaw is here from the ECB to ensure everything is above board.
10.30am: Play under way. Everything will be sorted out in the coming hours. Prompt start at Chester-le-Street and Headingley. Old Trafford waiting for that 11am inspection.
Somerset 211pts
Nottinghamshire 205
Yorkshire 203
10.38am: By the way you can keep an eye on conditions at Headingley by clicking here (http://www.yorkshireccc.com/the-club/the-grounds/s/61) and then clicking on the webcam icon on the right-hand side. Four slips in place and Nel and Stevens opening the bowling for Kent.
10.43am: Willoughby has been testing Di Venuto this morning, but no Somerset breakthrough so far. Durham 178 for two.
10.45am: Surrey's Kevin Pietersen on Twitter:
http://static.guim.co.uk/sys-images/Guardian/Pix/pictures/2010/04/08/twitter.gif Last day of work for the summer. It was freezing yesterday! Dear wind- pls don't come to Bristol today! if you do, pls bring your mate 'heavy showers' with you.. You so much better when you bring him/her along with you.. Kind regards!!
10.49am: Yorkshire on to 85 for one already - 34 scored already this morning. Proper bowling, proper shots from Lyth and McGrath according to Five Live Sports Extra.
10.53am: Kent breakthrough at Headingley: a lifting ball from Nel to McGrath and he is caught behind for 30 off 33 balls. Meanwhile, Di Venuto has reached his century for Durham as Somerset continue to be frustrated at Chester-le-Street.
11.03am: The sun is out and although Willoughby has swung the ball a little and has beaten the bat occasionally there have been no wickets for Somerset, writes Vic Marks. Di Venuto remains, solid and relaxed and has reached his century. Harmison has delivered one easy cover drive. Somerset will have to play very well or Durham very badly for the visitors to win. Which means that the tension will last to the end.
Today is only 84 overs long here, extra time having been added on the first three days. Somerset have planned a flight down to London in preparation for the Lord's final. After half an hour the feeling here is that the other two teams still have their chance. Oh what fun.
Actually it's bloody agony.
11.04am: Glamorgan needed to claim the third bowling bonus point to remove another part of the promotion equation, writes Paul Rees at the Swalec Stadium. It would ensure that Worcestershire would need to defeat Sussex: a tie would not be enough.
Not that they looked like removing with Tom Poynton or Steffan Jones. The pair took their ninth-wicket partnership past 50, batting sedately and taking advantage of the absence of a third man.
The word from Worcester was that Sussex would be setting their hosts a target of around 300 in 65-70 overs, more generous than Glamorgan would have wanted but they were hardly in a position to complain as the continued to be outplayed by the bottom side.
The only alarm for Derbyshire was when Huw Waters struck Poynton on the helmet with a short delivery and play was held up for four minutes. Meanwhile, Sussex were 146-3, 182 ahead.
11.05am: Old Trafford set for a 11.35am start, with a maximum of 80 overs. And Lyth is out at Headingley, bowled Tredwell for 46. Yorkshire 99 for four now, 58 ahead of Kent.
11.09am: Oh... now Tredwell's on a hat-trick. Brophy is stumped and Yorkshire are imploding - 99 for five. Goodness me. Jonny Bairstow is still there though.
11.12am: Notts will finally regain some control over their own destiny, writes Andy Wilson at Old Trafford. Play will begin at 11.35am, with 80 overs of the day's allocation remaining. So plenty of time for Notts to bash a quick 100, each team to forfeit an innings and Lancs to therefore chase 190 or so - it will surely be that sort of inviting target because Notts's bargaining hand is so weak, and the way Lancs have batted this season, you never know. Having said that, the pitch is a beauty.
11.15am: Tredwell hat-trick! Bairstow gone for 9. Is Yorkshire's title bid crashing to earth? Yes would appear to be the answer. They are 67 ahead with only four wickets remaining.
11.22am: Yorkshire 118 for seven. Rashid out. But Durham are still thwarting Somerset. They're now up to 207 for two.
11.27am: Make that 123 for eight for Yorkshire. Patterson gone. Remember, they were 93 for one not so long ago.
11.30am: Rain at Worcester with Sussex 158 for four, but play is expected to resume shortly, writes Paul Rees. Glamorgan have given up trying to bounce out Poynton and Jones and the spinners are on. Still no wickets, although Jones was fortunate an edge of James Harris fell just short of Mark Wallace behind. Derbyshire are 257 for eight with Jones on 45.
11.31am: Sky are filling in time before the resumption at Old Trafford by talking over pictures from Chester-le-Street where they've got a couple of cameras.
11.34am: Breaking news: Andrew Flintoff to confirm retirement from all cricket later today. Andy Wilson will bring us more in a short while.
11.36am: We're under way at Old Trafford. This is the 29th over of a match that started at 10.30am on Monday.
11.37am: Yorkshire 130 all out. Kent need 90 to win. Tredwell finishes with seven for 22.
11.38am: More breaking news: Former Essex county cricketer Mervyn Westfield has been charged with conspiracy to defraud over claims that he deliberately played poorly, the Crown Prosecution Service has said today.
11.40am: Dean Cosker has earned Glamorgan their final bowling bonus point, trapping Jones leg before for 45, ending a ninth-wicket partnership of 70, writes Paul Rees. They are back on in Worcester, Sussex extending their lead to 222 thanks to some buffet bowling.
11.43am: Somerset make the breakthrough! Durham 214 for three after Ben Harmison edges Alfonso Thomas behind and Craig Kieswetter snaffles the catch. Mr Marks is commentating on Five Live Sports Extra, and will bring us details and/or whimsy shortly.
11.54am: Kent out chasing 90 to win... and they're six for two. Joe Denly and Sam Northeast back in the Headingley Carnegie pavilion. RWT Key at the crease...
11.55am: Click here (http://www.guardian.co.uk/sport/2010/sep/16/andrew-flintoff-confirms-retirement-cricket) for more on Andy Wilson's story that Andrew Flintoff is set to retire from all cricket.
12.04pm: Andrew Gale said last night that it would be bad for cricket if there was not a game at Headingley today - and there has certainly been one, just not the one he expected, writes David Hopps at Headingley. James Tredwell, Kent's England off-spinner, has taken 7-22 from 6.5 overs including a hat-trick and Yorkshire have been bowled out for 130.
They officially opened the Trueman enclosure during this match and already the cognoscenti are grumbling in it. Not surprisingly. Yorkshire lost nine wickets for 37 runs in 55 balls as they adopted an aggressive approach on the final morning to try to hasten a declaration and chance of victory and found themselves in an unstoppable collapse.
Kent need 90 to win and, although Yorkshire will be hoping for miracles from Adil Rashid, miracles would indeed be needed to get out of this one. Tredwell bowled intelligently, and with characteristic subtle changes of flight and pace, but the turn was not extravagant. Yorkshire, unable or unwilling to adjust the attacking policy they were determined to follow, were just unable to resist.
Yorkshire, 51 for one off 15 overs overnight, tripped along to begin with, adding a further 42 in less than six overs. But from the point that Dewald Nel had Anthony McGrath caught at the wicket, decline was swift. Headingley has become protective of its young team and every boundary was applauded politely as if spectators dare not come to terms with what was happening.
Kent's captain Rob Key has often praised Tredwell as the most underrated spin bowler in the land. He saved one of his finest displays for a day which - given the unlikelihood of a Warwickshire defeat at Hampshire - will end with Kent's relegation and perhaps Key's resignation from the captaincy as a result. A pitch that had been designed for a late Rashid assault had bestowed its favours upon him.
Yorkshire's captain, Andrew Gale, was the third wicket to fall, driving ambitiously and bowled by Nel off an inside edge, and then Tredwell's hat-trick made Yorkshire's position all but terminal. Andrew Lyth, who had made 46 from 70 balls, was bowled, Gerard Brophy fell to an offside stumping from the first ball he received, propping forward to the last of Tredwell's over ñ you can't get much more dozy than that - and Tredwell completed his hat-trick with the first ball of his next over with the wicket of Jonny Bairstow.
Tredwell took six for 15 in 19 balls today. There were only three scoring shots of him, two of which Ajmal Shahzad bashed for six. It is a bright sunny day, the sort of day when the crowd would have wandered up optimistically expecting Yorkshire strokeplay and a Kent run chase deep into the final day. They have received something quite different.
12.08pm: Mark Wagh out for Notts, bowled by Sajid Mahmood for 32 from 61 balls. Notts 144 for three, 56 away from their first bonus point.
Andy Wilson writes below the line: Judging from the proper bowling and run-saving fields, I reckon Notts will declare at lunch, with a couple of forfeits to leave Lancs chasing around 175.
12.14pm: Derbyshire all out for 276, Cosker trapping the sweeping Poynton leg before for 25, writes Paul Rees at the Swalec Stadium. The left arm spinner took five wickets in the innings and took his first-class tally for the season to 51.
Derbyshire lead by 110, all but ruling out Glamorgan's chances of victory. Sussex have declared on 264-4, Wright 94 not out. Worcestershire need 301 to win off 70 overs.
12.17pm: On the surface all is serene here, writes Vic Marks at Chester-le-Street. Just one wicket has fallen. Harmison was caught down the leg-side off Thomas. It seems this surface is a tad more batsman- friendly than the one at Headingley. The Somerset fielders look calm enough, but they may not know what is happening there. It feels as if the second new ball, soon available is their last chance of bowling Durham out.
Tredwell has seldom been in my Ashes party. I'm thinking about having a change of heart. I'd prefer it if he did not have to bat. Durham's lead now over a 100
12.21pm: Here's our Mervyn Westfield story (http://www.guardian.co.uk/sport/2010/sep/16/mervyn-westfield-charged-fraud-essex) with a few more details.
12.27pm: Notts on to 163 for three at Old Trafford. At Headingley Kent are 46 runs away from a victory that would take Yorkshire out of the title race. But Kent look likely to be relegated: Hampshire are 76 for seven at the Rose Bowl - still nine behind with only three wickets remaining. A win for Warwickshire sends Kent down.
12.30pm: Durham 255 for five - Di Venuto the centurion (caught behind off Trego) and Ian Blackwell (caught Buttler, bowled Kartik) have gone. A lead of 115 with five wickets in hand. Somerset tails are most definitely up as they troop off for lunch. Fifty overs left in the day there.
12.34pm: Notts lose their fourth wicket: Ali Brown gone (leg before to Mahmood) and his side gather for lunch at 172 for four. Plenty to chew on there (unless it's soup).
12.35pm: Lunch in Cardiff, writes Paul Rees. Glamorgan are 53-0 off nine overs, Mark Cosgrove entertaining the crowd with some unorthodox strokeplay on his way to 41. Worcestershire made a strong start in their quest for 301, reaching 36 off seven overs before Monty Panesar removing Daryl Mitchell for 16 to leave the hosts on 37-1 at lunch.
12.36pm: Andrew Gale's suggestion that it would be "a sorry state for English cricket" if Yorkshire and Kent did not set up a final-day run chase has been rather overtaken by events, but it encouraged a good story in the press box that deserves retelling, writes David Hopps at Headingley.
David Warner was the cricket reporter for Bradford's Telegraph & Argus for many years, in the days before the Argus just filled its sports pages with football think stories ("City think they can win at Bury," etc ) and recalls a championship match at Weston when Yorkshire had a rather different opinion about declarations.
Raymond Illingworth was in charge of Yorkshire and Somerset were hopeful of a final-day declaration. It was Somerset's great era of Richards, Garner and Botham - not forgetting Marks - so declarations had to be cagey. But Richards had been called to a maternity hospital for the final day and it was assumed that his part in the match was over. Illy was the only person not convinced. "It could be a trick," he said. "The moment I declare, he'll be back."
The tide came in and the time went out again. Illy delayed the declaration. From memory,* the match was drawn.
(* Warner's memory - not quite as reliable as it once was).
12.55pm: Here's Andrew Flintoff's retirement statement:
It is with both disappointment and sadness that I am today announcing my retirement from all forms of cricket. The decision to end my career came yesterday after consultation with medical advisers.
I was told that the problems I have been trying to overcome in re-hab for the last year following the latest in a series of operations would not recover sufficiently to allow a comeback. Having been told that my body would no longer stand up to the rigours of cricket, I had no alternative but to retire.
I would like to thank my family, Lancashire Cricket Club, England, all my sponsors, friends and advisers for all the help and support they have given me throughout my career. Last, but by no means least, I am indebted to the encouragement and support I have always received from England's magnificent supporters. I will now be taking a break before deciding which future direction to take.
1.02pm: Sky Sports 1 running a montage of Flintoff's best bits. Plenty of footage of the MBE summer. Charles Colvile was welling up.
1.08pm: We go again: afternoon session. Durham 155 for five resuming against Somerset.
1.15pm: There has been no sign of any rolling of the pitch, and no announcement, so fair to assume that no declaration, writes Andy Wilson at Old Trafford.
1.16pm: Two more wickets just before lunch mean that Somerset could yet win this game. But that won't stop everyone here keeping an eye on what's happening down there, writes Vic Marks at Chester-le-Street. Di Venuto was caught behind off Trego for 129, a fine innings that was probably not truly appreciated by this correspondent. Straightaway Blackwell was caught at bat/pad off Kartik. So in effect Durham 115 for five. New ball due. Ho hum.
1.25pm: Somerset are flying to London from Newcastle airport at around 8pm tonight to bed down ahead of the CB40 final. But what will their mood be by then? By the way, well done to all posters on this blog - the 333 landmark has been passed. We are trailing the Pope visit - live! blog by only a handful.
1.27pm: Impossible not to read a double meaning into the end of Michael Vaughan's tribute tweet to his ISM stablemate Flintoff, writes Andy Wilson. "Freddie has called it a day.. Great entertainment playing and captaining him.. The man had the abililty to clear the bars.." Also good to see that Vaughan's twitter picture (does that have a proper name?) is of him posing with Orville the duck. Nottinghamshire are batting on here, now 180 for four. Thought they would have pulled out by now.
1.38pm: Essex have released a statement on the news that Mervyn Westfield has been charged with fraud by Essex police (http://www.guardian.co.uk/sport/2010/sep/16/mervyn-westfield-charged-fraud-essex) after an investigation into cricket spot-fixing, writes David Hopps. The statement reads:
We are very saddened by the news that Mervyn has been charged by Essex Police. We have not been privy to any of the evidence collected by the authorities which is why no action was taken against the player whilst the enquiries were ongoing. Clearly the Police now feel they have sufficient evidence to proceed.
A decision was taken some weeks ago that Mervyn's playing contract was not to be renewed with the Club for 2011. This decision was made purely on cricketing grounds and was not influenced in any way by the ongoing inquiry. He leaves the employment of the Club on 30th September 2010.
Westfield has played 2nd X1 cricket for Essex for much of the season. It is fair to observe, though, they have not exactly given him an opportunity in the 1st X1 to save his career.
1.39pm: Notts 201 for four, so bringing up their first bonus point of the match. It inches them closer to Somerset:
Somerset 211pts
Nottinghamshire 206
Yorkshire 203
1.40pm: Kent 70 for four, chasing 90. Geraint Jones gone for a fifth-ball duck.
1.45pm: Glamorgan and Derbyshire are looking to contrive a finish in Cardiff, writes Paul Rees. After the visitors' failure to make early inroads, they agreed to throw down some declaration bowling with Poynton giving his wicket-keeper's pads to Wes Durston.
Glamorgan were 18 behind when the filth started to be flung at them: within two overs they were ahead, but Cosgrove pulled a long hop from Ponton to Chesney Hughes at mid-wicket. Glamorgan needed to do something, even with Worcestershire losing a second wicket against Sussex, Vikram Solanki falling to Yasir Arafat. At 87-2 off 16.3 overs, Worcestershire are well ahead of the required rate.
1.47pm: It seems that Derbyshire, who are looking to move off the bottom of the table, have agreed a chase of 180 runs in 40 overs, adds Paul Rees.
1.47pm: Kent 82 for six. Eight to win...
1.54pm: Kent beat Yorkshire by four wickets. Yorkshire will not be county champions this season. It's down to Notts and Somerset. And Kent's fate rests on Warwickshire's ability to score 48 to beat Hampshire. If they do, Kent will be relegated.
2.06pm: With Yorkshire out of the race, and no contrived finish here, it's Somerset's title, right? Well maybe that's not absolutely definite, writes Andy Wilson. If Somerset draw with Durham, Notts will have to conjur up six bonus points. We had assumed they would go for 300 runs and six wickets. But they're currently 247 for four, with Patel and Voges going well. What if they can get up to 400? That would leave them needing one bowling point, which would only be three wickets. And Lancashire's top order is notoriously fragile. Stay tuned!
2.08pm: James Tredwell, an easily underestimated cricketer, writes Vic Marks. An MBE perhaps? There would be no objections from this quarter.
2.10pm: Somerset have Durham six down, and Notts have gathered another bonus point by passing 250 (for four):
Somerset 211pts
Nottinghamshire 207
Yorkshire 203
2.11pm: Paul Rees asks: Are Glamorgan worthy of a place in the top flight if the struggle against buffet bowling? Poynton got rid of Tom Maynard with a full toss while Ben Wright skied Madsen to mid-off. It's a demeaning means to an end.
2.14pm: Shortly before two o'clock, Yorkshire's championship hopes were over, writes David Hopps. Kent took an extraordinary four-wicket win from a final day on which 15 wickets fell in not much more than a session, all on a last-day Headingley surface that stood up to the job rather better than the nerves of some of Yorkshire's young players.
Martin Van Jaarsveld, with 44 from 72 balls, plotted Kent's route to victory, a route that briefly threatened to come to grief as they lost four wickets for 14 runs in three overs. Van Jaarsveld's consecutive sixes against Adil Rashid, the first straight, the second slightly legside of straight, ended Yorkshire's hopes of a remarkable recovery.
Kent lost both openers cheaply to lbw decisions, but they had recovered their poise by lunch, and Adil Rashid's leg-spinners were unable to work the same magic that James Tredwell had achieved for Kent in the morning.
As Yorkshire trooped off, led by Jacques Rudolph, who will now return to South Africa, and a renewed career with the national side, a crowd of about 2,000 launched into a standing ovation. The applause felt not just for Rudolph, an excellent pro, but also for a young Yorkshire side that has a strong bond with its public.
Yorkshire, who also lost in the semi-final of the Clydesdale Bank Trophy at Scarborough on Sunday, have blown two trophies at the last, but they have had a proud season nonetheless, achieving more than anyone had imagined possible in April.
2.18pm: Forty-seven overs left at Old Trafford. Notts 268 for four. And rain is falling at Chester-le-Street! Players heading off...
2.23pm: Flintoff is being quizzed by Georgie Thompson on Sky Sports News. He's unshaven, in a jacket with open-necked white shirt and there's a bland beige curtain as a backdrop. "I can't wait around forever," he says. "I've got to build a new career." Georgie is his mate from Sky's A League Of Their Own quiz show.
2.27pm: Any regrets? "No, I feel very fortunate. I got to represent my country." He's talking a bit about his injuries but "I'm not going to sit around and feel sorry for myself". How do you want to be remembered? "A decent bloke. I'm proud of my cricket career and wouldn't swap it." What happens next? "Hopefully I'll be involved at Lancashire until the day I die." Possibly developing younger players. "I don't see myself as a pundit."
2.29pm: Notts 282 for four. Voges and Patel both looking to convert fifties into centuries and rein in the next bonus point.
2.44pm: Another batting point for Nottinghamshire, writes Andy Wilson at Old Trafford. They've got three now, at 303 for four, with Adam Voges on 93 and Samit Patel combining the odd moment of luck with some wonderful shots to reach 79. We're in the 40th over of the day, so there are another 40 remaining after this. They need 97 runs then three Lancashire wickets. It's compelling stuff, and something remarkable may be about to happen.
Somerset 211pts
Nottinghamshire 208
Yorkshire 203
2.45pm: Glamorgan's failure to score quickly enough has seen them rein in at 269 for three, setting Derbyshire a target of 160 runs in a minimum of 37 overs, writes Paul Rees in Cardiff. Gareth Rees was unbeaten on 106. Worcestershire are on course for victory, more than halfway to their target at 153 for two. Three overs from Luke Wright have cost 30 runs.
2.50pm: Hundred up for Adam Voges... and Patel is close too. Is this his day of redemption?
And Kent have been relegated after Warwickshire completed their win over Hampshire.
2.54pm: No, Patel holed out for 96. Notts 325 for five.
2.59pm: Durham's rain break has become an early tea. And the number of comments on this blog has eclipsed Brian Lara's score of 501*, the biggest innings in first-class cricket. A fantastic effort all round. On the last afternoon of the last county blog of 2010, we are now setting a record that will take a lot of beating. Well done all.
3.09pm: Andrew Gale rued the reappearance of "the old Yorkshire" after their four-wicket defeat to Kent ended teir championship challenge, writes David Hopps at Headingley.
"For 45 minutes this morning it was dreadfull really ñ just signs of the old Yorkshire," he said. "That isn't the way we have played our cricket this year so I am disappointed. On reflection it's been a good year, but it will take me a week or two to get over that."
Yorkshire lost nine second-innings wickets in only nine overs as James Tredwell's off-spin reaped 7-22. Talk overnight of a declaration and run chase was soon redundant.
"We took the game for granted a little bit," Gale said. "The lads thought it was going to be easy to go out and score at seven or eight an over. At this level you have to respect the game. Kent are no mugs. Although it has not gone well for them this year, they still have some quality performers. If you take the ball it is going to bite you up the arse, and it did.
"The key thing this morning was that first hour. We had to get a solid foundation. It was still a fourth-day pitch. We threw that game away, no doubt about it. I don't think we have played well enough throughout the game anyway. It was a good effort to get back level, but if we had been playing the Notts or the Durhams they would have taken that game out of our grasp.
"There is always going to be the question of the lack of experience in our side but I think that is an easy get out. As long as they learn from it then they can put it down to inexperience. We were already thinking about how many to leave them this afternoon before putting the hard work in and getting the runs on the board."
Gale felt that Saturday's Clydesdale semi-final defeat against Warwickshire at Scarborough had had an effect on Yorkshire, who were well below their best for most of the match.
"I thought that Saturday had knocked a bit of stuffing out of us as a team. The hangover was still there. It wasn't as vibrant or positive as it had been in previous weeks.
"But the crowd have seen how much effort we have put in. We haven't had a lot of success at Yorkshire over the past four or five years. It feels as if we are reborn as a county. We have a lot of young players and if we can keep this squad together we are going to win trophies. The crowd can see that. To get an ovation like that after we had lost the game in that fashion was quite emotional.
After we got the two early wickets I thought if we could go bang, bang and get them five down it might be a bit of a nipper, but I always thought we needed 150."
3.10pm: Somerset back on at Chester-le-Street and have taken two quick wickets: Durham 294 for eight. But Notts are catching Somerset up - they've got their latest bonus point for reaching 350 for five. Thirty-two overs to go there.
Somerset 211pts
Nottinghamshire 209
Yorkshire 203
3.13pm: Tea at Old Trafford, writes Andy Wilson. Notts 353 for six, Read having been caught at mid off. So they're going to have to bat again after tea, which means knocking another couple off the day's allocation, so 30 and a bit overs to score 47 runs, and take three Lancashire wickets, and hope that Durham (eight down now) thwart Somerset.
3.18pm: James Harris has given Glamorgan a modicum of hope, taking two wickets in his first three overs to leave Derbyshire on 16 for two at tea, writes Paul Rees in Cardiff. They look like having to win with Worcestershire 237 for two at tea, 64 runs short, James Cameron and Moeen Ali both on 99.
3.29pm: Trego claims another! Rushworth caught behind. Durham 315 for nine.
3.32pm: England's captain Andrew Strauss on the retirement of Andrew Flintoff:
I would just like to say on behalf of the England team that we would like to congratulate Andrew on an outstanding career. The impact he has had on English cricket has been immense.
Of course, it is a sad day when somebody like that can no longer keep playing. But we would prefer today to celebrate everything he has achieved as an England cricketer. The biggest memories I will have of him are how incredibly able he was to make something happen out of nothing with both bat and ball. 2005 was his zenith. But he was always the ultimate impact cricketer, somebody who on so many occasions stepped up to the plate.
And the ECB's managing director, Hugh Morris:
Andrew Flintoff was one of the most naturally gifted cricketers ever to wear an England shirt and he will forever be associated with England's double Ashes triumphs in 2005 and 2009. Andrew always gave everything on the field and his will to win and hugely competitive spirit endeared him to millions of England cricket fans nationwide. On behalf of the England team and ECB, I would like to send him best wishes for his retirement and thanks for the enormous contribution he made to a successful England team.
3.36pm: Durham all out for 320. So know we know where we are. Somerset need 181 from just over an hour to win this game. Hmm... Trescothick and Kieswetter had better get stuck in... or if they do draw hope Notts falter in their bid to get to 400 and then grab three Lancashire wickets.
3.39pm: And Notts seven down! Steven Mullaney trooping off, caught behind off Kerrigan for a duck. That fifth bonus point is still 35 runs away. Three wickets in hand.
3.45pm: Mr Marks is on Five Live Sports Extra, exhibiting signs of tension it's fair to say. Trescothick edges the first ball for four.
3.49pm: Ian Blackwell, a slow left-armer and former Somerset man, has been tossed the new ball for Durham. He starts with a maiden.
3.53pm: Adam Voges's 183-ball innings is over - caught Croft at long-on, off Kerrigan for 126. Notts 386 for eight. Here's Ryan Sidebottom of all people to try to see them over the line. 390 for nine.
4.00pm: Blackwell strikes, bowling Kieswetter for three. Somerset 13 for one. And Notts lose a ninth wicket, 10 shy of 400. Andre Adams bowled by Kerrigan and Notts 390 for nine. Goodness me. Here's England's Darren Pattinson.
4.07pm: Tresco gone... Somerset now need 158 off 12 overs to win with eight wickets in hand... or more likely hope Notts don't get their six bonus points. They are 394 for nine, creeping closer.
4.11pm: Trego stumped off Blackwell and heading off. Somerset 32 for three. Notts 396 for nine.
4.16pm: Chilton has the Lancashire fielders up close and the Notts pair are struggling to get the ball away. Keedy bowls a maiden. 398 for nine.
4.19pm: Nottinghamshire get their fifth bonus point - Pattinson's single makes it at 400 for nine - and there's the declaration. Assuming Somerset draw, Notts need one more bonus point with the ball (ie by taking three Lancashire wickets) to ensure they finish the season level with Somerset... and top the table having won seven matches to Somerset's six. There will be 16 overs remaining to get the three wickets.
Somerset 211pts
Nottinghamshire 210
Yorkshire 203
4.20pm: Derbyshire are 48 for three, writes Paul Rees, Chris Rogers playing on to Jim Allenby for 9. Wes Durston is on 38, more than double his season's average. It's gone quiet in Cardiff. Worcestershire are almost there, 279 for four, 22 short of victory. Cameron and Ali both reached their centuries before being dismissed.
4.21pm: Derbyshire 48 for four now, writes Paul Rees, Cosker trapping Durston leg before in his first over. Television crews are arriving at the ground wanting to film the dressing room celebrations.
4.22pm: The Lancashire batsmen standing in Nottinghamshire's way:
Tom Smith
Paul Horton
Mark Chilton
Shivnarine Chanderpaul
Get three of them out and the title is theirs.
4.25pm: What a day, writes Rob Smyth.
4.28pm: Ryan Sidebottom is going to open the bowling for Notts.
4.31pm: OK, the last act at Old Trafford, writes Andy Wilson. Nottinghamshire, having made 400 by the last curl on Ryan Sidebottom's hair to secure five batting points, now have 17 or 18 overs to take three Lancashire wickets, which would bring them level with Somerset, and give them the title having won a game more. But can I throw one other thing into the mix. The sun. It's out here at Old Trafford, and it was about this time two days ago that the glint off the roof of the commentary boxes at the Stretford End forced the players off. This is the last time first class cricket will be played here on pitches that are aligned from east to west. Surely there isn't one, farcical, twist in the tale.
4.32pm: Lancashire survive the first over. The scoreboard at Old Trafford says there are 15 left.
4.34pm: Pattinson almost bags Wagh with his first ball - just squeaked past short leg.
4.35pm: The captains at Durham are shaking hands - it's a draw. So, all eyes on Old Trafford.
4.40pm: Adams zips one past the outside edge – the second scare for Lancashire (or, more accurately, Somerset).
4.41pm: Sidebottom has changed ends, so his left-arm over swingers are coming straight out of the sun from the batsmen's perspective.
4.43pm: WICKET! Sidebottom has Karl Brown caught at slip. Cracking ball it was too. One down, two to go.
4.45pm: Lancashire captain Mark Chilton is the new batsman. The sun sidles behind a cloud, and he gets off the mark.
4.48pm: WICKET! And another! Adams shapes one away from Chilton, and Read snaffles the catch. Is Somerset's dream slipping away?
4.49pm: Shiv Chandepaul is next up for Lancashire, but he and Horton have got a good while to survive, more than 10 overs.
4.50pm: WICKET! That's it!!! Chanderpaul goes. And Nottinghamshire are County Champions!!!
4.53pm: Four overs and four balls was all it took. Almost a Michael Thomas moment for the County Championship, with Andre Adams playing the Arsenal midfielder and Somerset the heartbroken Liverpool.
4.55pm: So the top three finish like this:
1) Notts 214
2) Somerset 214
3) Yorkshire 203
With Notts winning the title by virtue of winning the most games.
4.57pm: Worcestershire have beaten Sussex by four wickets with 14 overs to spare, writes Paul Rees. The shadows are lengthening for Glamorgan. Derbyshire have long abandoned the chase but they provided Allenby and Croft with half chances that were not taken while Dan Redfern survived a long leg before appeal from Jamie Dalrymple. Eight overs to go.
4.59pm: So the full classified check:
At Old Trafford Nottinghamshire 400-9dec; Lancashire 11-3. Match drawn
At Chester-le-Street Durham 286 & 320; Somerset 426 & 48-3. Match drawn
At Headingley Yorkshire 261 & 130; Kent 302 & 90-6. Kent won by six wickets
At Southampton Hampshire 218 & 132; Warwickshire 303 & 51-0. Warwickshire won by 10 wickets
What an extraordinary day.
5.06pm: Adam Voges is the man of the match at Old Trafford for his century. Paul Allott is handing him a magnum of champagne.
5.07pm: Chris Read lifts the County Championship trophy! He's on his own, in front of a board of logos. His team-mates cheer. Allott thrusts a mike in his face. "Last night the guys got together over a meal and had a chat," says Read. "We were devastated to see we weren't going to start on time. But decided on balance that the best route to go down would be to get 400, get the bonus points, and leave enough time to get three wickets."
5.08pm: Read walks back over to his team-mates and the champagne is uncorked. Much of it is tipped on Read's baseball-capped head. They're behind the LV= board. Then Read loses his cap and uncorks one of his own. Another cheer.
These are the jubilant scenes we foresaw on this blog at 8.45am. The answer to the question posed then was: Chris Read. Congratulations to Read and all at Nottinghamshire.
5.11pm: More jubilant bouncing. Here's Pattinson and Sidebottom with Allott. "We talked every ball in the middle," says Sidebottom of their crucial last-wicket partnership to get to 400. He's paying tribute to Andre Adams' wicket-taking prowess. Is it Sidebottom's last game for Notts? "If it is I've gone out in style," he says. "The club's been amazing. Whether it's my last game or not, thank you to all at the club."
Earlier today Yorkshire's captain Andrew Gale confirmed that Yorkshire had put an offer on the table for Sidebottom.
5.17pm: Redfern and Peterson both found the edge off Croft but not the hands of Tom Maynard at slip, writes Paul Rees in Cardiff. Peterson stood with hands on hip when all the fielders went up for a catch behind, some over-exuberantly, but umpire Steve Garratt remained impassive. Derbyshire were 116 for five when the allotted overs were up but Glamorgan still have 15 minutes to chase an unlikely dream.
5.29pm: Worcestershire are promoted to the First Division Derbyshire finished on 123 for five when Dalrymple called a halt at 5.25, writes Paul Rees in Cardiff. Glamorgan had a 21-point advantage going into the final two rounds of the season, but since beating Worcestershire at Colwyn Bay last month they have drawn three matches and lost to Middlesex. They may complain about the generosity of Sussex's declaration today, but they have only to look at themselves.
5.35pm: Well we have our champions. What a day on the blog. What a season. The county blog re-emerged when some of you asked after it on Andy Bull's first edition of The Spin this season. Today it has smashed all sorts of records. We took aim at Lara's 501 below the line; we ended up overtaking Murali's 800. Extraordinary.
The comments will stay open for a while yet, but this blog must now pack its kit away and go into winter hibernation. Look out for the reports from Messrs Wilson, Marks, Hopps and Rees online this evening. To recap from earlier, Steve Busfield is joining us and will be looking anew at how we do our blogs. The best thing to do is subscribe to The Spin (http://www.guardian.co.uk/sport/signup/2010/mar/30/1) for updates on when next we will be able to meet here.
Thank you to all our writers for their updates on runs and wickets, rain and whimsy. But most of all thanks to everyone for brilliant blogging below the line. It's been a great read every day. What a summer. See you soon.
Something humorous, ha ha ha ha, stay safe guys.
• Nottinghamshire win the County Championship (http://www.guardian.co.uk/sport/2010/sep/16/nottinghamshire-win-county-championship)
• Watch county cricket video highlights (http://www.guardian.co.uk/sport/interactive/2009/may/07/england-cricket-video-highlights)
• Andrew Flintoff has retired from all cricket (http://www.guardian.co.uk/sport/2010/sep/16/andrew-flintoff-confirms-retirement-cricket)
• Westfield charged with fraud over Essex-Durham match (http://www.guardian.co.uk/sport/2010/sep/16/mervyn-westfield-charged-fraud-essex)
• View all today's scores with with our live scoreboard (http://www.guardian.co.uk/sport/countychampionship1stdivisioncricket)
http://static.guim.co.uk/static/94278/common/styles/images/icon_reddit.gif (http://reddit.com/submit?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.guardian.co.uk%2Fsport %2Fblog%2F2010%2Fsep%2F16%2Fcounty-cricket-final-day-live-blog)
http://static.guim.co.uk/static/94278/common/styles/images/icon_buzz.gif (http://uk.buzz.yahoo.com/buzz?publisherurn=the_guardian665&targetUrl=http://www.guardian.co.uk/sport/blog/2010/sep/16/county-cricket-final-day-live-blog&summary=%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ENews+blog%3A%3C%2Fstron g%3E+Join+Vic+Marks%2C+David+Hopps%2C+Andy+Wilson+ and+Paul+Rees+around+the+grounds+for+coverage+of+t he+county+season%27s+dramatic+final+day%3C%2Fp%3E&headline= County cricket - final day as it happened | Sport | guardian.co.uk)<LI class="third-party-tool facebook edge" sizcache="4" sizset="63">http://static.guim.co.uk/static/94278/common/styles/images/icon_facebook.gif (http://www.facebook.com/share.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.guardian.co.uk%2Fspor t%2Fblog%2F2010%2Fsep%2F16%2Fcounty-cricket-final-day-live-blog)<LI class="tweet b3" sizcache="4" sizset="64">Tweet this (http://twitter.com/home?status=County+cricket+-+final+day+as+it+happened+http%3A%2F%2Fgu.com%2Fp% 2F2jmx9%2Ftw)(10) (http://topsy.com/tb/www.guardian.co.uk/sport/blog/2010/sep/16/county-cricket-final-day-live-blog)
Comments (869) (http://www.guardian.co.uk/sport/blog/2010/sep/16/county-cricket-final-day-live-blog#start-of-comments)
http://static.guim.co.uk/sys-images/Sport/Pix/columnists/2010/9/16/1284656899589/Nottinghamshire-celebrate-007.jpg Nottinghamshire celebrate their County Championship Division One title. Photograph: Richard Heathcote/Getty Images 8.45am Morning. This is it.
What we do know: later today, on a northern Test ground, a group of champagne-drenched men will be photographed bouncing in unison behind a board marked "LV=". The scenes of glee will be a fitting end to a remarkable county championship season.
What we don't know: will it be Chris Read, Marcus Trescothick or Andrew Gale in the middle of the photographs?
Vic Marks, David Hopps, Andy Wilson and Paul Rees will be at their posts with updates through the day, both above and below the line.
8.55am: Here's Lord Selvey on this year's championship denouement (http://www.guardian.co.uk/sport/blog/2010/sep/16/countychampionship1stdivisioncricket-cricket). This is a taster:
In theory I should be dispassionate about the final destination of the championship trophy. My county loyalties (something that pertained in the old days) still lie with Middlesex, although I hope Glamorgan can hoist themselves up. However, if pushed, and at risk of alienating others from this parish, I would have to say I would not begrudge Somerset if they sneaked through on the rails. Yorkshire have had plenty of times to celebrate, almost twice as many as the nearest rival, and indeed I was actually at the crease (non-striker) when they clinched the last of their great run through the 1960s. Likewise Nottinghamshire. But Somerset supporters, while enjoying their various one-day successes with the accompanying jolly up to London, have never seen the championship pennant fly over the Taunton pavilion.
8.56am: Where were you on 9 April? That's when it all began. Gordon Brown was prime minister, England were about to win the football World Cup and 18 sides were setting out on the county championship trail. There are nine teams in the First Division and a third of them still have a chance of winning on the last day of the season: Nottinghamshire, Somerset and Yorkshire.
Yesterday's blog (http://www.guardian.co.uk/sport/blog/2010/sep/15/county-cricket-live) brought us to this point. Notts need to negotiate a double declaration with Lancashire, after managing only 28 overs in three days so far.
Somerset need to nip out some more Durham wickets and wrap up victory in 84 overs before they fly down to London for Saturday's CB40 final.
At Headingley Yorkshire and Kent need to hurry on to a position where a result is gettable. Yorkshire to keep their faint title hopes alive. Kent to have a chance of staying up, depending on how Hampshire do at home to Warwickshire.
How they stand this morning:
Somerset 211pts
Nottinghamshire 205
Yorkshire 203
9.07am: The Second Division promotion race has gone to the last day too. Glamorgan are in pole position, but are being made to struggle by Derbyshire in Cardiff. Worcestershire could leapfrog them with a win - but they need to grab some more Sussex wickets pronto. Fourth-placed Leicestershire need victory to have any chance of coming up on the rails - and they are well placed against Northants.
Paul Rees will be patrolling the boundary at the Swalec Stadium to keep us up to date.
9.13am: The Headingley webcam on Yorkshire's website shows the covers off and groundstaff stooping over the pitch. A good sign. Pretty grey overhead mind.
9.24am: Sunny at Old Trafford, but happily not too sunny to send them off again. Chris Read is on Sky saying he will have to talk about run-chases with Mark Chilton later on. Somerset's captain Marcus Trescothick says conditions seem a bit better for bowling at (dry) Chester-le-Street this morning.
9.29am: So what do we think about contrived run-chases? This is what Kent captain Rob Key said yesterday:
"We are not in the business of handing championships to other teams. My team do not want to see a dull game of cricket, but I do not think it is right to hand out a ridiculous run-chase. If Yorkshire are going to win the title then they will have to do it properly."
But Yorkshire's captain Andrew Gale said:
"The way the championship has been this season we have seen sides set up games left, right and centre. I will have a chat with Key in the morning. We will have to come to a happy-medium, but I think that it will be a sorry state for English cricket if we do not have a good game of cricket on the final day."
9.31am: It's dry at the moment, writes Andy Wilson in Manchester, but it rained during the night. There are showers around so I think a full day's play would be unlikely. A prompt start might be touch and go.
9.50am: So this is the final county blog of the year. There was much discussion on yesterday's blog (http://www.guardian.co.uk/discussion/comment-permalink/7669274) about what happens next. Of course there's the Ashes - but could there be winter whimsy too? In his new role as Blogs editor, Sport, Steve Busfield will find the answers. The best way to stay in the loop is by subscribing to The Spin (http://www.guardian.co.uk/sport/signup/2010/mar/30/1), Andy Bull's weekly cricket email. When winter plans are put in place you'll read about them there first.
Last week the blog set itself the target of getting a Goochie (333 comments below the line). We did it. Yesterday we took aim at Brian Lara's Test record of 400. We did it. Now there's just one record left in sight. We couldn't round off the season by eclipsing Lara's 501... could we?
10.08am: Don't get carried away writes Andy Wilson at Old Trafford, but there is a chance of some play here, and maybe even a decent finish. The sun has been out for an hour or so, accelerating the drying-up process after some more heavy rain last night. We won't start on time, and that closes one of Nottinghamshire's doors into the last-chance saloon, as it means there won't be time for them to accumulate the six bonus points necessary to have any chance of pinching the title from Somerset. But the indications from Lancashire are that they will accept an invitation to chase a victory target, which would open up the possibility for Notts of claiming 16 points for the win. Having said all that, the target will not be a steep one, as Lancashire hold all the cards. And even as I'm writing, some ominous clouds are gathering at the Stretford End. Will keep you posted.
10.12am: It must be a big day: Isobel Lang is giving a bespoke County Championship weather forecast on Sky Sports News. Kind of dry but maybe a bit wet is the verdict.
10.18am: Talking of Sky Sports News, here are the permutations excellently put together by them:
•If Somerset, Notts or Yorkshire win and the other two lose the winning team are the champions
•If Notts beat Lancashire with a total of 22 points Somerset will not be champions
•If Somerset and Yorkshire both draw Notts will need nine points to be champions
•If Somerset and Yorkshire win and Notts fail to win, Somerset will be champions
•If Notts and Yorkshire win Notts will be champions
•If Somerset and Yorkshire both lose Notts would need six points to win
•If Notts and Somerset both lose Yorkshire would need to win to be champions
10.19am: There will be a prompt start in Cardiff, writes Paul Rees at the Swalec Stadium. Showers are forecast, but there are ripples of blue in the sky at the moment and the clouds are fluffy white. There should be more than a scattering of spectators given that the car park was full at 9.30, but maybe there is a sale on in town. Few seats are currently occupied.
The drama is likely to be on a different stage than this. Glamorgan's hopes of defeating Derbyshire are slim with the visitors 68 ahead on first innings with two wickets left, including that of the Llangennech born Steffan Jones, who is 29 not out and defying his home team, not for the first time this season.
If Worcestershire fail to bet Sussex at New Road, Glamorgan will be promoted. Leicestershire can reach the same number of points as the Welsh county, but they would lose out because both sides have the same number of wins and losses but Glamorgan have the better head-to-head record this season. So the champagne is on ice or rather, given Glamorgan's financial predicament, the beer is in the fridge.
10.22am: Andy Wilson writes below the line: Just confirmed the delayed start, another inspection at 11am - and Jack Birkenshaw is here from the ECB to ensure everything is above board.
10.30am: Play under way. Everything will be sorted out in the coming hours. Prompt start at Chester-le-Street and Headingley. Old Trafford waiting for that 11am inspection.
Somerset 211pts
Nottinghamshire 205
Yorkshire 203
10.38am: By the way you can keep an eye on conditions at Headingley by clicking here (http://www.yorkshireccc.com/the-club/the-grounds/s/61) and then clicking on the webcam icon on the right-hand side. Four slips in place and Nel and Stevens opening the bowling for Kent.
10.43am: Willoughby has been testing Di Venuto this morning, but no Somerset breakthrough so far. Durham 178 for two.
10.45am: Surrey's Kevin Pietersen on Twitter:
http://static.guim.co.uk/sys-images/Guardian/Pix/pictures/2010/04/08/twitter.gif Last day of work for the summer. It was freezing yesterday! Dear wind- pls don't come to Bristol today! if you do, pls bring your mate 'heavy showers' with you.. You so much better when you bring him/her along with you.. Kind regards!!
10.49am: Yorkshire on to 85 for one already - 34 scored already this morning. Proper bowling, proper shots from Lyth and McGrath according to Five Live Sports Extra.
10.53am: Kent breakthrough at Headingley: a lifting ball from Nel to McGrath and he is caught behind for 30 off 33 balls. Meanwhile, Di Venuto has reached his century for Durham as Somerset continue to be frustrated at Chester-le-Street.
11.03am: The sun is out and although Willoughby has swung the ball a little and has beaten the bat occasionally there have been no wickets for Somerset, writes Vic Marks. Di Venuto remains, solid and relaxed and has reached his century. Harmison has delivered one easy cover drive. Somerset will have to play very well or Durham very badly for the visitors to win. Which means that the tension will last to the end.
Today is only 84 overs long here, extra time having been added on the first three days. Somerset have planned a flight down to London in preparation for the Lord's final. After half an hour the feeling here is that the other two teams still have their chance. Oh what fun.
Actually it's bloody agony.
11.04am: Glamorgan needed to claim the third bowling bonus point to remove another part of the promotion equation, writes Paul Rees at the Swalec Stadium. It would ensure that Worcestershire would need to defeat Sussex: a tie would not be enough.
Not that they looked like removing with Tom Poynton or Steffan Jones. The pair took their ninth-wicket partnership past 50, batting sedately and taking advantage of the absence of a third man.
The word from Worcester was that Sussex would be setting their hosts a target of around 300 in 65-70 overs, more generous than Glamorgan would have wanted but they were hardly in a position to complain as the continued to be outplayed by the bottom side.
The only alarm for Derbyshire was when Huw Waters struck Poynton on the helmet with a short delivery and play was held up for four minutes. Meanwhile, Sussex were 146-3, 182 ahead.
11.05am: Old Trafford set for a 11.35am start, with a maximum of 80 overs. And Lyth is out at Headingley, bowled Tredwell for 46. Yorkshire 99 for four now, 58 ahead of Kent.
11.09am: Oh... now Tredwell's on a hat-trick. Brophy is stumped and Yorkshire are imploding - 99 for five. Goodness me. Jonny Bairstow is still there though.
11.12am: Notts will finally regain some control over their own destiny, writes Andy Wilson at Old Trafford. Play will begin at 11.35am, with 80 overs of the day's allocation remaining. So plenty of time for Notts to bash a quick 100, each team to forfeit an innings and Lancs to therefore chase 190 or so - it will surely be that sort of inviting target because Notts's bargaining hand is so weak, and the way Lancs have batted this season, you never know. Having said that, the pitch is a beauty.
11.15am: Tredwell hat-trick! Bairstow gone for 9. Is Yorkshire's title bid crashing to earth? Yes would appear to be the answer. They are 67 ahead with only four wickets remaining.
11.22am: Yorkshire 118 for seven. Rashid out. But Durham are still thwarting Somerset. They're now up to 207 for two.
11.27am: Make that 123 for eight for Yorkshire. Patterson gone. Remember, they were 93 for one not so long ago.
11.30am: Rain at Worcester with Sussex 158 for four, but play is expected to resume shortly, writes Paul Rees. Glamorgan have given up trying to bounce out Poynton and Jones and the spinners are on. Still no wickets, although Jones was fortunate an edge of James Harris fell just short of Mark Wallace behind. Derbyshire are 257 for eight with Jones on 45.
11.31am: Sky are filling in time before the resumption at Old Trafford by talking over pictures from Chester-le-Street where they've got a couple of cameras.
11.34am: Breaking news: Andrew Flintoff to confirm retirement from all cricket later today. Andy Wilson will bring us more in a short while.
11.36am: We're under way at Old Trafford. This is the 29th over of a match that started at 10.30am on Monday.
11.37am: Yorkshire 130 all out. Kent need 90 to win. Tredwell finishes with seven for 22.
11.38am: More breaking news: Former Essex county cricketer Mervyn Westfield has been charged with conspiracy to defraud over claims that he deliberately played poorly, the Crown Prosecution Service has said today.
11.40am: Dean Cosker has earned Glamorgan their final bowling bonus point, trapping Jones leg before for 45, ending a ninth-wicket partnership of 70, writes Paul Rees. They are back on in Worcester, Sussex extending their lead to 222 thanks to some buffet bowling.
11.43am: Somerset make the breakthrough! Durham 214 for three after Ben Harmison edges Alfonso Thomas behind and Craig Kieswetter snaffles the catch. Mr Marks is commentating on Five Live Sports Extra, and will bring us details and/or whimsy shortly.
11.54am: Kent out chasing 90 to win... and they're six for two. Joe Denly and Sam Northeast back in the Headingley Carnegie pavilion. RWT Key at the crease...
11.55am: Click here (http://www.guardian.co.uk/sport/2010/sep/16/andrew-flintoff-confirms-retirement-cricket) for more on Andy Wilson's story that Andrew Flintoff is set to retire from all cricket.
12.04pm: Andrew Gale said last night that it would be bad for cricket if there was not a game at Headingley today - and there has certainly been one, just not the one he expected, writes David Hopps at Headingley. James Tredwell, Kent's England off-spinner, has taken 7-22 from 6.5 overs including a hat-trick and Yorkshire have been bowled out for 130.
They officially opened the Trueman enclosure during this match and already the cognoscenti are grumbling in it. Not surprisingly. Yorkshire lost nine wickets for 37 runs in 55 balls as they adopted an aggressive approach on the final morning to try to hasten a declaration and chance of victory and found themselves in an unstoppable collapse.
Kent need 90 to win and, although Yorkshire will be hoping for miracles from Adil Rashid, miracles would indeed be needed to get out of this one. Tredwell bowled intelligently, and with characteristic subtle changes of flight and pace, but the turn was not extravagant. Yorkshire, unable or unwilling to adjust the attacking policy they were determined to follow, were just unable to resist.
Yorkshire, 51 for one off 15 overs overnight, tripped along to begin with, adding a further 42 in less than six overs. But from the point that Dewald Nel had Anthony McGrath caught at the wicket, decline was swift. Headingley has become protective of its young team and every boundary was applauded politely as if spectators dare not come to terms with what was happening.
Kent's captain Rob Key has often praised Tredwell as the most underrated spin bowler in the land. He saved one of his finest displays for a day which - given the unlikelihood of a Warwickshire defeat at Hampshire - will end with Kent's relegation and perhaps Key's resignation from the captaincy as a result. A pitch that had been designed for a late Rashid assault had bestowed its favours upon him.
Yorkshire's captain, Andrew Gale, was the third wicket to fall, driving ambitiously and bowled by Nel off an inside edge, and then Tredwell's hat-trick made Yorkshire's position all but terminal. Andrew Lyth, who had made 46 from 70 balls, was bowled, Gerard Brophy fell to an offside stumping from the first ball he received, propping forward to the last of Tredwell's over ñ you can't get much more dozy than that - and Tredwell completed his hat-trick with the first ball of his next over with the wicket of Jonny Bairstow.
Tredwell took six for 15 in 19 balls today. There were only three scoring shots of him, two of which Ajmal Shahzad bashed for six. It is a bright sunny day, the sort of day when the crowd would have wandered up optimistically expecting Yorkshire strokeplay and a Kent run chase deep into the final day. They have received something quite different.
12.08pm: Mark Wagh out for Notts, bowled by Sajid Mahmood for 32 from 61 balls. Notts 144 for three, 56 away from their first bonus point.
Andy Wilson writes below the line: Judging from the proper bowling and run-saving fields, I reckon Notts will declare at lunch, with a couple of forfeits to leave Lancs chasing around 175.
12.14pm: Derbyshire all out for 276, Cosker trapping the sweeping Poynton leg before for 25, writes Paul Rees at the Swalec Stadium. The left arm spinner took five wickets in the innings and took his first-class tally for the season to 51.
Derbyshire lead by 110, all but ruling out Glamorgan's chances of victory. Sussex have declared on 264-4, Wright 94 not out. Worcestershire need 301 to win off 70 overs.
12.17pm: On the surface all is serene here, writes Vic Marks at Chester-le-Street. Just one wicket has fallen. Harmison was caught down the leg-side off Thomas. It seems this surface is a tad more batsman- friendly than the one at Headingley. The Somerset fielders look calm enough, but they may not know what is happening there. It feels as if the second new ball, soon available is their last chance of bowling Durham out.
Tredwell has seldom been in my Ashes party. I'm thinking about having a change of heart. I'd prefer it if he did not have to bat. Durham's lead now over a 100
12.21pm: Here's our Mervyn Westfield story (http://www.guardian.co.uk/sport/2010/sep/16/mervyn-westfield-charged-fraud-essex) with a few more details.
12.27pm: Notts on to 163 for three at Old Trafford. At Headingley Kent are 46 runs away from a victory that would take Yorkshire out of the title race. But Kent look likely to be relegated: Hampshire are 76 for seven at the Rose Bowl - still nine behind with only three wickets remaining. A win for Warwickshire sends Kent down.
12.30pm: Durham 255 for five - Di Venuto the centurion (caught behind off Trego) and Ian Blackwell (caught Buttler, bowled Kartik) have gone. A lead of 115 with five wickets in hand. Somerset tails are most definitely up as they troop off for lunch. Fifty overs left in the day there.
12.34pm: Notts lose their fourth wicket: Ali Brown gone (leg before to Mahmood) and his side gather for lunch at 172 for four. Plenty to chew on there (unless it's soup).
12.35pm: Lunch in Cardiff, writes Paul Rees. Glamorgan are 53-0 off nine overs, Mark Cosgrove entertaining the crowd with some unorthodox strokeplay on his way to 41. Worcestershire made a strong start in their quest for 301, reaching 36 off seven overs before Monty Panesar removing Daryl Mitchell for 16 to leave the hosts on 37-1 at lunch.
12.36pm: Andrew Gale's suggestion that it would be "a sorry state for English cricket" if Yorkshire and Kent did not set up a final-day run chase has been rather overtaken by events, but it encouraged a good story in the press box that deserves retelling, writes David Hopps at Headingley.
David Warner was the cricket reporter for Bradford's Telegraph & Argus for many years, in the days before the Argus just filled its sports pages with football think stories ("City think they can win at Bury," etc ) and recalls a championship match at Weston when Yorkshire had a rather different opinion about declarations.
Raymond Illingworth was in charge of Yorkshire and Somerset were hopeful of a final-day declaration. It was Somerset's great era of Richards, Garner and Botham - not forgetting Marks - so declarations had to be cagey. But Richards had been called to a maternity hospital for the final day and it was assumed that his part in the match was over. Illy was the only person not convinced. "It could be a trick," he said. "The moment I declare, he'll be back."
The tide came in and the time went out again. Illy delayed the declaration. From memory,* the match was drawn.
(* Warner's memory - not quite as reliable as it once was).
12.55pm: Here's Andrew Flintoff's retirement statement:
It is with both disappointment and sadness that I am today announcing my retirement from all forms of cricket. The decision to end my career came yesterday after consultation with medical advisers.
I was told that the problems I have been trying to overcome in re-hab for the last year following the latest in a series of operations would not recover sufficiently to allow a comeback. Having been told that my body would no longer stand up to the rigours of cricket, I had no alternative but to retire.
I would like to thank my family, Lancashire Cricket Club, England, all my sponsors, friends and advisers for all the help and support they have given me throughout my career. Last, but by no means least, I am indebted to the encouragement and support I have always received from England's magnificent supporters. I will now be taking a break before deciding which future direction to take.
1.02pm: Sky Sports 1 running a montage of Flintoff's best bits. Plenty of footage of the MBE summer. Charles Colvile was welling up.
1.08pm: We go again: afternoon session. Durham 155 for five resuming against Somerset.
1.15pm: There has been no sign of any rolling of the pitch, and no announcement, so fair to assume that no declaration, writes Andy Wilson at Old Trafford.
1.16pm: Two more wickets just before lunch mean that Somerset could yet win this game. But that won't stop everyone here keeping an eye on what's happening down there, writes Vic Marks at Chester-le-Street. Di Venuto was caught behind off Trego for 129, a fine innings that was probably not truly appreciated by this correspondent. Straightaway Blackwell was caught at bat/pad off Kartik. So in effect Durham 115 for five. New ball due. Ho hum.
1.25pm: Somerset are flying to London from Newcastle airport at around 8pm tonight to bed down ahead of the CB40 final. But what will their mood be by then? By the way, well done to all posters on this blog - the 333 landmark has been passed. We are trailing the Pope visit - live! blog by only a handful.
1.27pm: Impossible not to read a double meaning into the end of Michael Vaughan's tribute tweet to his ISM stablemate Flintoff, writes Andy Wilson. "Freddie has called it a day.. Great entertainment playing and captaining him.. The man had the abililty to clear the bars.." Also good to see that Vaughan's twitter picture (does that have a proper name?) is of him posing with Orville the duck. Nottinghamshire are batting on here, now 180 for four. Thought they would have pulled out by now.
1.38pm: Essex have released a statement on the news that Mervyn Westfield has been charged with fraud by Essex police (http://www.guardian.co.uk/sport/2010/sep/16/mervyn-westfield-charged-fraud-essex) after an investigation into cricket spot-fixing, writes David Hopps. The statement reads:
We are very saddened by the news that Mervyn has been charged by Essex Police. We have not been privy to any of the evidence collected by the authorities which is why no action was taken against the player whilst the enquiries were ongoing. Clearly the Police now feel they have sufficient evidence to proceed.
A decision was taken some weeks ago that Mervyn's playing contract was not to be renewed with the Club for 2011. This decision was made purely on cricketing grounds and was not influenced in any way by the ongoing inquiry. He leaves the employment of the Club on 30th September 2010.
Westfield has played 2nd X1 cricket for Essex for much of the season. It is fair to observe, though, they have not exactly given him an opportunity in the 1st X1 to save his career.
1.39pm: Notts 201 for four, so bringing up their first bonus point of the match. It inches them closer to Somerset:
Somerset 211pts
Nottinghamshire 206
Yorkshire 203
1.40pm: Kent 70 for four, chasing 90. Geraint Jones gone for a fifth-ball duck.
1.45pm: Glamorgan and Derbyshire are looking to contrive a finish in Cardiff, writes Paul Rees. After the visitors' failure to make early inroads, they agreed to throw down some declaration bowling with Poynton giving his wicket-keeper's pads to Wes Durston.
Glamorgan were 18 behind when the filth started to be flung at them: within two overs they were ahead, but Cosgrove pulled a long hop from Ponton to Chesney Hughes at mid-wicket. Glamorgan needed to do something, even with Worcestershire losing a second wicket against Sussex, Vikram Solanki falling to Yasir Arafat. At 87-2 off 16.3 overs, Worcestershire are well ahead of the required rate.
1.47pm: It seems that Derbyshire, who are looking to move off the bottom of the table, have agreed a chase of 180 runs in 40 overs, adds Paul Rees.
1.47pm: Kent 82 for six. Eight to win...
1.54pm: Kent beat Yorkshire by four wickets. Yorkshire will not be county champions this season. It's down to Notts and Somerset. And Kent's fate rests on Warwickshire's ability to score 48 to beat Hampshire. If they do, Kent will be relegated.
2.06pm: With Yorkshire out of the race, and no contrived finish here, it's Somerset's title, right? Well maybe that's not absolutely definite, writes Andy Wilson. If Somerset draw with Durham, Notts will have to conjur up six bonus points. We had assumed they would go for 300 runs and six wickets. But they're currently 247 for four, with Patel and Voges going well. What if they can get up to 400? That would leave them needing one bowling point, which would only be three wickets. And Lancashire's top order is notoriously fragile. Stay tuned!
2.08pm: James Tredwell, an easily underestimated cricketer, writes Vic Marks. An MBE perhaps? There would be no objections from this quarter.
2.10pm: Somerset have Durham six down, and Notts have gathered another bonus point by passing 250 (for four):
Somerset 211pts
Nottinghamshire 207
Yorkshire 203
2.11pm: Paul Rees asks: Are Glamorgan worthy of a place in the top flight if the struggle against buffet bowling? Poynton got rid of Tom Maynard with a full toss while Ben Wright skied Madsen to mid-off. It's a demeaning means to an end.
2.14pm: Shortly before two o'clock, Yorkshire's championship hopes were over, writes David Hopps. Kent took an extraordinary four-wicket win from a final day on which 15 wickets fell in not much more than a session, all on a last-day Headingley surface that stood up to the job rather better than the nerves of some of Yorkshire's young players.
Martin Van Jaarsveld, with 44 from 72 balls, plotted Kent's route to victory, a route that briefly threatened to come to grief as they lost four wickets for 14 runs in three overs. Van Jaarsveld's consecutive sixes against Adil Rashid, the first straight, the second slightly legside of straight, ended Yorkshire's hopes of a remarkable recovery.
Kent lost both openers cheaply to lbw decisions, but they had recovered their poise by lunch, and Adil Rashid's leg-spinners were unable to work the same magic that James Tredwell had achieved for Kent in the morning.
As Yorkshire trooped off, led by Jacques Rudolph, who will now return to South Africa, and a renewed career with the national side, a crowd of about 2,000 launched into a standing ovation. The applause felt not just for Rudolph, an excellent pro, but also for a young Yorkshire side that has a strong bond with its public.
Yorkshire, who also lost in the semi-final of the Clydesdale Bank Trophy at Scarborough on Sunday, have blown two trophies at the last, but they have had a proud season nonetheless, achieving more than anyone had imagined possible in April.
2.18pm: Forty-seven overs left at Old Trafford. Notts 268 for four. And rain is falling at Chester-le-Street! Players heading off...
2.23pm: Flintoff is being quizzed by Georgie Thompson on Sky Sports News. He's unshaven, in a jacket with open-necked white shirt and there's a bland beige curtain as a backdrop. "I can't wait around forever," he says. "I've got to build a new career." Georgie is his mate from Sky's A League Of Their Own quiz show.
2.27pm: Any regrets? "No, I feel very fortunate. I got to represent my country." He's talking a bit about his injuries but "I'm not going to sit around and feel sorry for myself". How do you want to be remembered? "A decent bloke. I'm proud of my cricket career and wouldn't swap it." What happens next? "Hopefully I'll be involved at Lancashire until the day I die." Possibly developing younger players. "I don't see myself as a pundit."
2.29pm: Notts 282 for four. Voges and Patel both looking to convert fifties into centuries and rein in the next bonus point.
2.44pm: Another batting point for Nottinghamshire, writes Andy Wilson at Old Trafford. They've got three now, at 303 for four, with Adam Voges on 93 and Samit Patel combining the odd moment of luck with some wonderful shots to reach 79. We're in the 40th over of the day, so there are another 40 remaining after this. They need 97 runs then three Lancashire wickets. It's compelling stuff, and something remarkable may be about to happen.
Somerset 211pts
Nottinghamshire 208
Yorkshire 203
2.45pm: Glamorgan's failure to score quickly enough has seen them rein in at 269 for three, setting Derbyshire a target of 160 runs in a minimum of 37 overs, writes Paul Rees in Cardiff. Gareth Rees was unbeaten on 106. Worcestershire are on course for victory, more than halfway to their target at 153 for two. Three overs from Luke Wright have cost 30 runs.
2.50pm: Hundred up for Adam Voges... and Patel is close too. Is this his day of redemption?
And Kent have been relegated after Warwickshire completed their win over Hampshire.
2.54pm: No, Patel holed out for 96. Notts 325 for five.
2.59pm: Durham's rain break has become an early tea. And the number of comments on this blog has eclipsed Brian Lara's score of 501*, the biggest innings in first-class cricket. A fantastic effort all round. On the last afternoon of the last county blog of 2010, we are now setting a record that will take a lot of beating. Well done all.
3.09pm: Andrew Gale rued the reappearance of "the old Yorkshire" after their four-wicket defeat to Kent ended teir championship challenge, writes David Hopps at Headingley.
"For 45 minutes this morning it was dreadfull really ñ just signs of the old Yorkshire," he said. "That isn't the way we have played our cricket this year so I am disappointed. On reflection it's been a good year, but it will take me a week or two to get over that."
Yorkshire lost nine second-innings wickets in only nine overs as James Tredwell's off-spin reaped 7-22. Talk overnight of a declaration and run chase was soon redundant.
"We took the game for granted a little bit," Gale said. "The lads thought it was going to be easy to go out and score at seven or eight an over. At this level you have to respect the game. Kent are no mugs. Although it has not gone well for them this year, they still have some quality performers. If you take the ball it is going to bite you up the arse, and it did.
"The key thing this morning was that first hour. We had to get a solid foundation. It was still a fourth-day pitch. We threw that game away, no doubt about it. I don't think we have played well enough throughout the game anyway. It was a good effort to get back level, but if we had been playing the Notts or the Durhams they would have taken that game out of our grasp.
"There is always going to be the question of the lack of experience in our side but I think that is an easy get out. As long as they learn from it then they can put it down to inexperience. We were already thinking about how many to leave them this afternoon before putting the hard work in and getting the runs on the board."
Gale felt that Saturday's Clydesdale semi-final defeat against Warwickshire at Scarborough had had an effect on Yorkshire, who were well below their best for most of the match.
"I thought that Saturday had knocked a bit of stuffing out of us as a team. The hangover was still there. It wasn't as vibrant or positive as it had been in previous weeks.
"But the crowd have seen how much effort we have put in. We haven't had a lot of success at Yorkshire over the past four or five years. It feels as if we are reborn as a county. We have a lot of young players and if we can keep this squad together we are going to win trophies. The crowd can see that. To get an ovation like that after we had lost the game in that fashion was quite emotional.
After we got the two early wickets I thought if we could go bang, bang and get them five down it might be a bit of a nipper, but I always thought we needed 150."
3.10pm: Somerset back on at Chester-le-Street and have taken two quick wickets: Durham 294 for eight. But Notts are catching Somerset up - they've got their latest bonus point for reaching 350 for five. Thirty-two overs to go there.
Somerset 211pts
Nottinghamshire 209
Yorkshire 203
3.13pm: Tea at Old Trafford, writes Andy Wilson. Notts 353 for six, Read having been caught at mid off. So they're going to have to bat again after tea, which means knocking another couple off the day's allocation, so 30 and a bit overs to score 47 runs, and take three Lancashire wickets, and hope that Durham (eight down now) thwart Somerset.
3.18pm: James Harris has given Glamorgan a modicum of hope, taking two wickets in his first three overs to leave Derbyshire on 16 for two at tea, writes Paul Rees in Cardiff. They look like having to win with Worcestershire 237 for two at tea, 64 runs short, James Cameron and Moeen Ali both on 99.
3.29pm: Trego claims another! Rushworth caught behind. Durham 315 for nine.
3.32pm: England's captain Andrew Strauss on the retirement of Andrew Flintoff:
I would just like to say on behalf of the England team that we would like to congratulate Andrew on an outstanding career. The impact he has had on English cricket has been immense.
Of course, it is a sad day when somebody like that can no longer keep playing. But we would prefer today to celebrate everything he has achieved as an England cricketer. The biggest memories I will have of him are how incredibly able he was to make something happen out of nothing with both bat and ball. 2005 was his zenith. But he was always the ultimate impact cricketer, somebody who on so many occasions stepped up to the plate.
And the ECB's managing director, Hugh Morris:
Andrew Flintoff was one of the most naturally gifted cricketers ever to wear an England shirt and he will forever be associated with England's double Ashes triumphs in 2005 and 2009. Andrew always gave everything on the field and his will to win and hugely competitive spirit endeared him to millions of England cricket fans nationwide. On behalf of the England team and ECB, I would like to send him best wishes for his retirement and thanks for the enormous contribution he made to a successful England team.
3.36pm: Durham all out for 320. So know we know where we are. Somerset need 181 from just over an hour to win this game. Hmm... Trescothick and Kieswetter had better get stuck in... or if they do draw hope Notts falter in their bid to get to 400 and then grab three Lancashire wickets.
3.39pm: And Notts seven down! Steven Mullaney trooping off, caught behind off Kerrigan for a duck. That fifth bonus point is still 35 runs away. Three wickets in hand.
3.45pm: Mr Marks is on Five Live Sports Extra, exhibiting signs of tension it's fair to say. Trescothick edges the first ball for four.
3.49pm: Ian Blackwell, a slow left-armer and former Somerset man, has been tossed the new ball for Durham. He starts with a maiden.
3.53pm: Adam Voges's 183-ball innings is over - caught Croft at long-on, off Kerrigan for 126. Notts 386 for eight. Here's Ryan Sidebottom of all people to try to see them over the line. 390 for nine.
4.00pm: Blackwell strikes, bowling Kieswetter for three. Somerset 13 for one. And Notts lose a ninth wicket, 10 shy of 400. Andre Adams bowled by Kerrigan and Notts 390 for nine. Goodness me. Here's England's Darren Pattinson.
4.07pm: Tresco gone... Somerset now need 158 off 12 overs to win with eight wickets in hand... or more likely hope Notts don't get their six bonus points. They are 394 for nine, creeping closer.
4.11pm: Trego stumped off Blackwell and heading off. Somerset 32 for three. Notts 396 for nine.
4.16pm: Chilton has the Lancashire fielders up close and the Notts pair are struggling to get the ball away. Keedy bowls a maiden. 398 for nine.
4.19pm: Nottinghamshire get their fifth bonus point - Pattinson's single makes it at 400 for nine - and there's the declaration. Assuming Somerset draw, Notts need one more bonus point with the ball (ie by taking three Lancashire wickets) to ensure they finish the season level with Somerset... and top the table having won seven matches to Somerset's six. There will be 16 overs remaining to get the three wickets.
Somerset 211pts
Nottinghamshire 210
Yorkshire 203
4.20pm: Derbyshire are 48 for three, writes Paul Rees, Chris Rogers playing on to Jim Allenby for 9. Wes Durston is on 38, more than double his season's average. It's gone quiet in Cardiff. Worcestershire are almost there, 279 for four, 22 short of victory. Cameron and Ali both reached their centuries before being dismissed.
4.21pm: Derbyshire 48 for four now, writes Paul Rees, Cosker trapping Durston leg before in his first over. Television crews are arriving at the ground wanting to film the dressing room celebrations.
4.22pm: The Lancashire batsmen standing in Nottinghamshire's way:
Tom Smith
Paul Horton
Mark Chilton
Shivnarine Chanderpaul
Get three of them out and the title is theirs.
4.25pm: What a day, writes Rob Smyth.
4.28pm: Ryan Sidebottom is going to open the bowling for Notts.
4.31pm: OK, the last act at Old Trafford, writes Andy Wilson. Nottinghamshire, having made 400 by the last curl on Ryan Sidebottom's hair to secure five batting points, now have 17 or 18 overs to take three Lancashire wickets, which would bring them level with Somerset, and give them the title having won a game more. But can I throw one other thing into the mix. The sun. It's out here at Old Trafford, and it was about this time two days ago that the glint off the roof of the commentary boxes at the Stretford End forced the players off. This is the last time first class cricket will be played here on pitches that are aligned from east to west. Surely there isn't one, farcical, twist in the tale.
4.32pm: Lancashire survive the first over. The scoreboard at Old Trafford says there are 15 left.
4.34pm: Pattinson almost bags Wagh with his first ball - just squeaked past short leg.
4.35pm: The captains at Durham are shaking hands - it's a draw. So, all eyes on Old Trafford.
4.40pm: Adams zips one past the outside edge – the second scare for Lancashire (or, more accurately, Somerset).
4.41pm: Sidebottom has changed ends, so his left-arm over swingers are coming straight out of the sun from the batsmen's perspective.
4.43pm: WICKET! Sidebottom has Karl Brown caught at slip. Cracking ball it was too. One down, two to go.
4.45pm: Lancashire captain Mark Chilton is the new batsman. The sun sidles behind a cloud, and he gets off the mark.
4.48pm: WICKET! And another! Adams shapes one away from Chilton, and Read snaffles the catch. Is Somerset's dream slipping away?
4.49pm: Shiv Chandepaul is next up for Lancashire, but he and Horton have got a good while to survive, more than 10 overs.
4.50pm: WICKET! That's it!!! Chanderpaul goes. And Nottinghamshire are County Champions!!!
4.53pm: Four overs and four balls was all it took. Almost a Michael Thomas moment for the County Championship, with Andre Adams playing the Arsenal midfielder and Somerset the heartbroken Liverpool.
4.55pm: So the top three finish like this:
1) Notts 214
2) Somerset 214
3) Yorkshire 203
With Notts winning the title by virtue of winning the most games.
4.57pm: Worcestershire have beaten Sussex by four wickets with 14 overs to spare, writes Paul Rees. The shadows are lengthening for Glamorgan. Derbyshire have long abandoned the chase but they provided Allenby and Croft with half chances that were not taken while Dan Redfern survived a long leg before appeal from Jamie Dalrymple. Eight overs to go.
4.59pm: So the full classified check:
At Old Trafford Nottinghamshire 400-9dec; Lancashire 11-3. Match drawn
At Chester-le-Street Durham 286 & 320; Somerset 426 & 48-3. Match drawn
At Headingley Yorkshire 261 & 130; Kent 302 & 90-6. Kent won by six wickets
At Southampton Hampshire 218 & 132; Warwickshire 303 & 51-0. Warwickshire won by 10 wickets
What an extraordinary day.
5.06pm: Adam Voges is the man of the match at Old Trafford for his century. Paul Allott is handing him a magnum of champagne.
5.07pm: Chris Read lifts the County Championship trophy! He's on his own, in front of a board of logos. His team-mates cheer. Allott thrusts a mike in his face. "Last night the guys got together over a meal and had a chat," says Read. "We were devastated to see we weren't going to start on time. But decided on balance that the best route to go down would be to get 400, get the bonus points, and leave enough time to get three wickets."
5.08pm: Read walks back over to his team-mates and the champagne is uncorked. Much of it is tipped on Read's baseball-capped head. They're behind the LV= board. Then Read loses his cap and uncorks one of his own. Another cheer.
These are the jubilant scenes we foresaw on this blog at 8.45am. The answer to the question posed then was: Chris Read. Congratulations to Read and all at Nottinghamshire.
5.11pm: More jubilant bouncing. Here's Pattinson and Sidebottom with Allott. "We talked every ball in the middle," says Sidebottom of their crucial last-wicket partnership to get to 400. He's paying tribute to Andre Adams' wicket-taking prowess. Is it Sidebottom's last game for Notts? "If it is I've gone out in style," he says. "The club's been amazing. Whether it's my last game or not, thank you to all at the club."
Earlier today Yorkshire's captain Andrew Gale confirmed that Yorkshire had put an offer on the table for Sidebottom.
5.17pm: Redfern and Peterson both found the edge off Croft but not the hands of Tom Maynard at slip, writes Paul Rees in Cardiff. Peterson stood with hands on hip when all the fielders went up for a catch behind, some over-exuberantly, but umpire Steve Garratt remained impassive. Derbyshire were 116 for five when the allotted overs were up but Glamorgan still have 15 minutes to chase an unlikely dream.
5.29pm: Worcestershire are promoted to the First Division Derbyshire finished on 123 for five when Dalrymple called a halt at 5.25, writes Paul Rees in Cardiff. Glamorgan had a 21-point advantage going into the final two rounds of the season, but since beating Worcestershire at Colwyn Bay last month they have drawn three matches and lost to Middlesex. They may complain about the generosity of Sussex's declaration today, but they have only to look at themselves.
5.35pm: Well we have our champions. What a day on the blog. What a season. The county blog re-emerged when some of you asked after it on Andy Bull's first edition of The Spin this season. Today it has smashed all sorts of records. We took aim at Lara's 501 below the line; we ended up overtaking Murali's 800. Extraordinary.
The comments will stay open for a while yet, but this blog must now pack its kit away and go into winter hibernation. Look out for the reports from Messrs Wilson, Marks, Hopps and Rees online this evening. To recap from earlier, Steve Busfield is joining us and will be looking anew at how we do our blogs. The best thing to do is subscribe to The Spin (http://www.guardian.co.uk/sport/signup/2010/mar/30/1) for updates on when next we will be able to meet here.
Thank you to all our writers for their updates on runs and wickets, rain and whimsy. But most of all thanks to everyone for brilliant blogging below the line. It's been a great read every day. What a summer. See you soon.
Something humorous, ha ha ha ha, stay safe guys.