Yorkshire in pole position

The race for the championship is the closest for years. Here we analyse the chances of the prospective winners…

Yorkshire, played 14 points 167
Have surprised many with their title charge following promotion only two years ago. Not least because the captaincy skills of Darren Gough were supposed to hinder them. A hammering of Warwickshire last time out reignited their hopes after a barren spell. Yet they could be extinguished against Sussex on September 5.

Sussex, played 13 points 153
Last year's champions have a game in hand of Yorkshire but crucially they host the White Rose county at Hove on September 5. A win for the hosts will go a long way to becoming the first side to win back-to-back titles since Surrey in 1999-2000. The toss will be crucial at Hove. If Sussex win and bat first, they can bat the Yorkies out of the title race and let their spinners do the rest.

Hampshire, played 12 points 141
Shane Warne said his side "must have a great chance" of winning the title. He would have been right had he not suffered a side injury which could rule him out of three of Hampshire's last four matches. They play Yorkshire in the final game of the season but with the loss of their form, and their captain, it could be irrelevant.

Lancashire, played 12 points 139
Lancashire conceded a bigger total than they would have liked in the first innings in their current match against Kent. Yet they could still recover and make a bid for glory. There problem is that they lose Muttiah Muralitharan, who has helped get them in contention. When he leaves they need a massive team effort to get them close. Do they want it enough?

Durham, played 12 points 136.5
If Durham were to claim their first championship pennant in the same season they won their first Lord's final, it would be fairytale stuff. They have a real chance with games in hand and a squad in form. And with their next game at home to Worcestershire, they should be confident of recording their fifth win. The problem is they are challenging for Pro40 promotion and could get distracted.

(Editor's Note: it's the most exciting county championship for years. Make sure you keep up-to-date with all the changing prices on SportingBet!)