Warwickshire eye title as County Championship finale begins

Warwickshire need 14 points to win Division One as the final round of the 2026 County Championship began on 24 September.

Three teams started the last four days still able to take the title. The round runs from Thursday 24 September to Sunday 27 September, with play scheduled from 10:30am at grounds around the country.

Warwickshire led the table going into the decider. Somerset were second, 11 points behind, and defending champions Nottinghamshire were third, 15 points back, according to The Guardian.

It is a sharp turnaround. Warwickshire moved top by beating Essex by eight wickets inside two days in the penultimate round, while both Somerset and Nottinghamshire lost. Glamorgan added to the twist by beating Surrey in that same round.

The County Championship, officially branded the Rothesay County Championship, is England and Wales’ four-day, first-class league. Counties are split into two divisions, with results decided over up to four days and points awarded for wins, draws, batting and bowling.

The morning tosses set up two huge games in the title race. At Taunton, Surrey won the toss against second-placed Somerset and chose to bat first. At Edgbaston, Leicestershire won the toss against leaders Warwickshire and chose to bat.

Elsewhere in Division One, Yorkshire won the toss at Trent Bridge against Nottinghamshire and put the home side in to bat. At Cardiff, Essex won the toss against Glamorgan and chose to bowl. At the Utilita Bowl, Sussex won the toss against Hampshire and chose to bat first.

There was plenty happening in Division Two as well. At Canterbury, Kent won the toss against Gloucestershire and chose to bowl. At Old Trafford, Durham won the toss against Lancashire and chose to bat. At Lord’s, Northamptonshire won the toss against Middlesex and chose to bat. At Worcester, Derbyshire won the toss against Worcestershire and chose to bowl.

Two other threads hang over the week. Hampshire were already relegated from Division One before a ball was bowled. Leicestershire arrived at Edgbaston carrying a 27-point deduction for a pitch infraction, which they were due to appeal.

For fans, this means four days of maths as much as cricket. Warwickshire can seal it with a strong result. Somerset and Nottinghamshire need to win big and hope the leaders slip. Every bonus point counts.