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County Championship set for dramatic finale as Yorkshire give chase while Somerset wait in tense anticipation

The County Championship is locked in a tense three-horse race between Middlesex, Yorkshire and Somerset

Samuel Lovett
Friday 23 September 2016 17:21 BST
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Middlesex and Yorkshire could both still win the County Championship as they battle it out at Lord's
Middlesex and Yorkshire could both still win the County Championship as they battle it out at Lord's (Getty)

The County Championship is poised for a dramatic finale as Middlesex and Yorkshire battle it out at Lord’s, with Somerset waiting in tense anticipation for the end result.

Somerset currently sit top of the championship table with 226 points after beating Nottinghamshire in three days but the title will only be declared as theirs should Middlesex and Yorkshire’s match end as a draw.

The side are hoping to lift their first title in 141 years but will rue the fact they missed out on a fifth batting point in their first innings which would have made Middlesex and Yorkshire’s task that much harder.

Middlesex sit second in the table, with 218, while Yorkshire are currently placed in third with a total of 211.

A draw for both teams at Lord’s today would not be enough to secure the title for either of the two sides – only victory and the promise of 16 points would be enough to guarantee the championship for either Middlesex or Yorkshire.

A tie (which is worth eight points to each side, as opposed to a draw which gives five points each) would bring Middlesex level with Somerset on points.

However, under tie-breaker rules, Somerset would still win the Championship having won more games this season (six) than Middlesex (five).

Yorkshire currently trail Middlesex by 66 runs with four wickets remaining in a tense encounter that has gripped cricket fans across the country.

Somerset players and fans have assembled at Taunton to watch the match take place at Lord’s and it’s safe to say the game has left everyone on the edge of their seats.

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