Surrey retains the English County Championship title

Surrey retained its English County Championship title on Thursday after Essex’s slim hopes ended on account of a batting collapse in opposition to Northamptonshire.

A 20-point hole between the highest two Division One groups heading into the ultimate spherical of four-day fixtures meant Surrey required simply 5 factors to carry on to its crown.

Its failure to take any batting bonus factors in opposition to Hampshire left the door barely ajar for Essex, which wanted to publish a 400-plus rating in 110 overs at Wantage Road to maintain the title race alive.

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But in response to Northamptonshire’s 369, Essex was all out for 211, which meant it may not catch Surrey, which might rejoice its fifth championship crown because the flip of the century.

London-based Surrey is the primary aspect to retain the first-class title since Yorkshire, which has received back-to-back crowns in 2014 and 2015.