THE JOY OF ESSEX

ESSEX crushed Warwickshire by an innings to all but end a 25-year wait for the County Championship.

Rivals Lancashire are only 45 runs ahead of Somerset with two wickets left and anything but a win today gives Essex (right) the title. Jamie Porter was close to quitting in 2014, but is the leading wickettaker in the country this season.

“It’s taken a lot of hard work,” said Porter, the man of the match at Edgbaston. “I’m not as quick as a few others.” Essex coach Chris Silverwood paid tribute to Alastair Cook, who scored three centuries before England duty called.

He said: “The weight of runs he brings to the team is fantastic, but equally it’s about him as a character.”