County cricket final day: Middlesex relegated as Kent survive at the last – live | County Championship

Final Division One table

Final scores

Nottinghamshire beat Middlesex by two wickets and Middlesex are relegated

Four overs left, three to win, two wickets in hand.

Eight down, three needed, the sun dropping, at Macclesfield.

Eight down – but just five needed.

Still seven down at Stoke – and just 17 needed. Looking promising for Kent.

Seven down (33 neeeded) at Stafford. (Robson 3-31)

I’m now at Wolverhampton, and Middlesex are still six down – 50 needed. What price Stafford? Now I really better write up. But one final plug, for poor old Hampton Wick CC, who are raising money after a fire destroyed their pavilion. This is their crowdfunder.

Notts six down. Two for …Robson.

Kent draw with Lancashire

Oooof – Notts five down, 55 needed. It’s not on. Is it?

Durham accept the Division Two trophy

Notts have lost a third, but they only need another 74.

Kent, presumably being updated in real time from the boundary, have wheedled out one of Lancs’ (wagging) tail – Bailey for 78. Bohannon still there on 63.

And they may shake hands soon at Sophia Gardens and Headingley – where Masood has just picked up his first century at Headingley of the season. No time like etc etc

Liam Dawson – PCA men’s player of the year

Tea-time scores

I think, like England, we all forgot Ben Foakes.

CCLive! team of the year

Looking ominous for Middlesex, because although they’ve got rid of Hameed (for 24), Notts only need another 143. Relying on a Notts-up here. Lancs still seven down, the lead now 148 so Kent very much hoping Middx continue to be brave but toothless.

“Good afternoon from Berlin,” writes Frederick Simon. “ I am dreading the end of the championship season. It will leave a big void. The good news is I am set to be county championship fantasy league winner of German. I wonder what my prize will be? Three hearty British cheers is what my grandmother used to offer.

”So many great players to choose from. But surely one has to go for the most county; peak county if you will, where international (or even national) fame scores negatively. If you know, you know:

Fin Bean
Alex Lees
Nick Gubbins (not because he is the best number 3, but because he is the most county)
Kiran Carlson
Ollie Robinson (wk)
Ryan Higgins
Liam Dawson
Ben Raine
Mohammed Abbas
OHD

”Big shouts out to Simon Harmer, Timm VDG, Hutton, Bamber, Joe Leach, Lawes, Jordan Clarke.

“And if Sam Cooke and Jordan Thompson had been for all season, they would definitely have made the squad.

”Enjoy the off season! I won’t! See you in spring!”

Thank you for that – which reminds me I need to collate our CCLive! team of the season.

Durham beat Leicestershire by an innings and 141 runs!

The train wifi can’t cope with the streams, can anyone read the body language at Trent Bridge?

Notts rattling along at six an over here. I’m afraid, Middlesex, that you must prepare for Headingley and Grace Road. So long as Middx don’t take any wickets, Kent will be happy to keep Lancs (281-7) out there.

The Stuart Broad End

TRJ followed that over of plenty with a maiden. Notts still 26-0.

Lancs are still seven down, with the lead now three figures. Tom Bailey and Bohannon capable of being a real pain for Kent.

Rumours have it that Sussex were trying (unsuccesfully) to tempt TRJ, but he’s on Middlesex do-or-die duties here. Unfortunately, HH has just greedily tucked into his first over, taking three boundaries. Notts 26-0.

And in a last-ditch attempt to save themselves, Middlesex have declared – leaving Notts 207 to win. Three cheers for Sam Robson, 105, and find of the season de Caires, a run-a-ball 49, but I don’t fancy Middlesex’s chances.

“Hello Tanya,” hello Christopher Sharp! “I am a Kent supporter and have been for 50 years. My grandfather Richard Lowe played for Kent in 1926 and he did the hat-trick for Cambridge University against Oxford. I do the scoring for my club Staplehurst and I hope Kent stay up and possible win.”

Christopher, it all looks very possible – what with Lancs only leading by 91 runs and now seven down. Bohannon still there, 19 not out, but he’s only got Bailey, Blatherwick and Morley for company. Though Kent’s batting is more than capable of messing this up at the last.

Made the train, now reliant on CrossCountryWifi. A couple of emails have dropped:

“Updated my Gloucestershire diary today,” writes Matt Winter. “Simply said, ‘bugger’. “

I’m going to run for a train in the lunch break – hopefully back on line at Southampton Airport Parkway!

Lunchtime scores

Sussex beat Gloucestershire by 339 runs!

Let’s take a look at the Middlesex-Kent axis.

Middlesex currently suffering from end of term nerves: 136-5, lead Notts by 117, which surely isn’t enough. Robson still there though, on a run-a-ball 71. They, remember, need a win.

Lancashire have just lost three quick wickets -for five runs – including Wells for 117, and lead Kent by 37. Kent are fine with a draw, unless Middlesex win.

Down on the sunny outfield, Surrey are celebrating with the shiny golden trophy, the pennant and their families. Dan Worrall wants a photo with his daughter and partner, Tom Lawes with his parents. A very dapper and low key Richard Thompson, chairman of the ECB and formerly of Surrey, in white trousers and polished chelsea boots, hands over the cup. Surrey are wearing special souvenir caps, baseball style, with XXII (Championship wins) on the back, which arrived this morning, ordered by Alec Stewart.

Hampshire beat Surrey by 52 runs!

Poor Sudharsan, diligently watching from the other end, Roach tries a cover drive and edges to Vince again, prowling at second slip. Surrey 126-9.

In the relegation battle, Middlesex need to win and Kent not, for Middlesex to avoid the drop. This was Tom Helm last night:

“We are going to have to go at them. We are going to have to set them a score to have a chance to bowl them out and stay in the division.

“I can’t put a number on it – that’s a bit above my pay grade. It’s going to be a really exciting day, there’s a huge amount to play for.”

A giant strides off the pitch, after being well and truly stumped after a daft dance down to Liam Dawson. Surrey likely to end this season as they ended the last, being handed a right thrashing. Surrey 125-8, need another 60.

I’m going to miss watching Mohammad Abbas slink into bowl, the sun on his back. He has Clark caught by Vince low at second slip in the first over of the day.

I know the BBC have done one, but let’s attempt a CCLive! team of the season. If you either email me, or drop your team BTL, I’ll collate them together after lunch and come up with an XI. Just off to get coffee – both machines at the hotel were broken (the horror!).

Surrey: worthy Champions

Scores on the doors

Preamble