So three important rounds to come – with nearly everything still up in the air – Lancashire can clinch the Division Two Championship this round – but the chasing pack have all to play for. Essex, Somerset and, at a push, Yorkshire will be going full pelt for the pennant.
Division One
Hampshire v Surrey: Dean Elgar, Jamie Smith and Jade Dernbach are included in Surrey’s squad. Tom Alsop returns for Hampshire for the first time since his hamstring injury.
Nottinghamshire v Kent: Where is there for Notts to go? Perhaps their inspired win over Middlesex to take them to T20 finals day will prove a catalyst for change. Hmmm. Ravi Ashwin returns. Kent need only four points to secure their division one place for next season.
Somerset v Yorkshire: Somerset have signed India’s Murali Vijay for the last three games of the season while Lewis Gregory returns to the squad. Keshav Maharaj makes his final Championship appearance for Yorkshire.
Warwickshire v Essex: Top of the table Essex, unbeaten in 10 Championship matches, haven’t signed an overseas player for the title run in.
Division Two
Gloucestershire v Sussex: Shannon Gabriel makes his debut for Gloucestershire, as they look to secure what would be a surprise promotion to Division Two. Stiaan van Zyl, George Garton and Chris Jordan return for Sussex after injury, as does Delray Rawlins, who missed their win over Middlesex because of international commitments.
Lancashire v Derbyshire: Lancashire need just 24 points to win promotion and dismiss the ghost of their nightmare T20 game against Essex . Glenn Maxwell plays his final game before returning to Victoria to prepare for the start of the Australian domestic season. Derbyshire include 18-year-old off-spinner Hamidullah Qadri in their squad.
Leicestershire v Northamptonshire: Northants have signed New Zealand all-rounder Doug Bracewell for the final three games of the season. Gareth Berg, who has joined from Hampshire, is also in their squad. George Rhodes could make his Leicestershire debut after joining from Worcestershire.
Middlesex v Durham: West Indies’ fast bowler Miguel Cummins, who has signed for their three remaining Championship games, makes his debut for Middlesex. Durham, unbeaten in seven games, give a Championship debut to Scott Steel.
Worcestershire v Glamorgan: Worcestershire include Moeen Ali after his wonderful T20 century last week. Timm van der Gugten returns after recovering from a back injury.
