VERDICT

For a county that only achieved promotion back into the top-flight at the end of last season, that Essex won Division One by such a huge margin with 10 wins out of 14 matches and to finish unbeaten was a colossal achievement and it could be the start of a new era for the county.

With the country’s two leading wicket-takers in Jamie Porter and Simon Harmer committed to the club for the foreseeable future, they will continue to spearhead the attack so influentially.

Nick Browne and Dan Lawrence have proved themselves highly-talented batsmen and with the wealth of experience to back up their prowess under skipper Ryan ten Doeschate, further success in the red-ball game cannot be discounted.

Yorkshire only guaranteed their Division One status when they collected their second bowling point in this match but they look to have an intense winter of planning ahead to avoid another relegation battle.

The batting has been inconsistent this season and it was frankly deplorable against Essex. The retirement of Ryan Sidebottom leaves a huge gap to fill in their bowling ranks.

Winter recruitment looks to be a priority although Ben Coad and Karl Carver are promising players who could be key in the years ahead.