Lancashire blew their chances when they were beaten by Warwickshire at Old Trafford three weeks ago, and the best they can hope for now is victories over both Essex and Surrey at the Oval next week to clinch third or second spot.
Essex, joint top with Lancashire only a month ago, have tumbled down the table and are expecteed to make a number of changes to the team which thrashed Warwickshire at Lord's yesterday after some heavy duty celebrations. Mike Atherton is set to dash north for Lancashire tomorrow morning after tonight's selection meeting for the winter tours - before returning to London for the start of the championship match against Surrey on Wednesday.
John Crawley and Peter Martin will be hoping that he brings good news - both are strong contenders for England's trips to Sharjah for a one-day tournament in November, then for five Tests in West Indies after Christmas. Martin is more likely to get a place for Sharjah, possibly alongside one-day specialist Graham Lloyd, while Crawley is considered a certainty for the Caribbean - despite being dropped from England's Sixth Test win.
The selectors will also pick a squad for the A tours of Kenya and Sri Lanka. Although Glen Chapple and Jason Gallian, who both went to Australia with the A team last winter, have faded from contention, Warren Hegg has had a good season behind the stumps and is again a leading contender - while 19-year-old Andy Flintoff could also come into contention.