Surrey close to title as latest push boosted by return of England stars

Jamie Smith is set to return against Hampshire next week. Photo: Getty Images/Ben Hoskins

Surrey's bid for back-to-back county titles is likely to be boosted by the return of England duo Will Jacks and Jamie Smith against Hampshire next week.

Surrey escaped with an eight-point draw as Northamptonshire asked them to continue at the Oval on Friday, but the result was not enough to retain the visitors' Division One status.

Essex, Surrey's closest rivals for the title, snatched defeat from the jaws of victory. They had Hampshire 32 for four chasing 267, but James Vince and centurion Liam Dawson came together to share 184. Both fell before Hampshire crossed the line, but they recorded a remarkable three-wicket win in the final over of the match.

It ends Essex's run of six straight wins and leaves Surrey with a 20-point lead at the top of the table, needing just five points to guarantee the title. The task is complicated by the fact that they have to travel to the Ageas Bowl while Essex face relegated Northamptonshire.

Surrey's Jax and Smith missed this week's match against Northants as they take part in England's one-day international series against Ireland. Smith is set to make his international debut at Trent Bridge today and is one of five debutants in the young squad. The series ends on Tuesday in Bristol.

Under England and Wales Cricket Board rules, Surrey could withdraw the pair from Wednesday in place of the previously named players, despite the match starting the day before. One or both could be released by England on Monday to play the entire Championship game if they are not selected for the national team on Tuesday. Surrey will be grateful for the return of the middle order after one of their worst performances of the season.

It required a staunch rearguard from openers Rory Burns and Dom Sibley, who put on 142 in 64 calm overs after Northants secured a follow-on attempt to keep the season alive. For much of the final day, with Essex leading at Chelmsford, Surrey's dominant position in the title race seemed to be slipping away, but the stubbornness of Burns and Sibley and the chasing of Vince and Dawson changed the picture.

«Northants played really well so we had to give up the game for a draw and it's a positive for us to finish the game,» Burns said. “We will welcome them [Jack and Smith] with open arms if we can.”

Middlesex and Kent are fighting to avoid joining Northamptonshire in the Second Division next season. Kent escaped Taunton with a draw, but Middlesex lost by eight wickets to Warwickshire at Lord's. Next week Middlesex face Nottinghamshire and Kent host Lancashire. Kent lead Middlesex by one point.

In Division Two, Worcestershire need just three points from the final game of the season in Yorkshire to secure promotion with Durham. Meanwhile, Sue Redfern will become the championship's first female judge. Redfern, who has been capped 21 times for England, will feature in Glamorgan's meeting with Derbyshire on Tuesday. Earlier this year, she became the first woman to compete at the Vitality Blast.

“I have worked hard to earn this opportunity and am looking forward to the next step in my career as a first-class men's match referee,” Redfearn said.