There is plenty to play for as the last round of CricInfo Championship games begins. It's a finale to savour and the myth that no one is interested in county cricket should be nailed once and for all.

There have been excellent crowds at matches throughout the season - particularly the festivals at Cheltenham, Bath and Scarborough. Thousands more follow the scores over the internet and through newspapers. For domestic cricket in England, at least, it has been a fantastic season - and there could be a few twists in the tail yet.

The wisdom of splitting the championship into two divisions appears almost unarguable as 10 teams have promotion, relegation or prize money issues to spur them on at this late stage of the season. Indeed, only one game in the entire summer – the clash between Yorkshire and Essex at Scarborough starting tomorrow – can be described as a 'dead rubber' as counties battle for their short term futures.

In Division One doomed Glamorgan play Surrey, who need only four points to ensure their survival in the top flight.

Kent have a tough battle on their hands as they try to take the £50,000 prize money for second place. Apart from the 16-point deficit they must make up, they also face a Lancashire side that should be fully motivated as it fights for its own Division One future.

"This is obviously a vital match," Lancashire coach, Bobby Simpson agreed. "It's absolutely imperative that we stay in Division One. This team is too good to go down.

"We've not played well this season, but we've not been fated with the weather after we went on a roll early on. The weather report is terrible again for this game and if it forces a draw those four points might not be enough."

Peter Martin is unlikely to play as he has a leg injury, while Mike Atherton may well have played his last first-class game as he faces a fitness test on his long-suffering back before the team is announced.

Somerset need only five points to make the runners-up spot their own. It would be the highest finish in the club's history and a wonderful achievement for a side shorn of its two brightest stars (Caddick and Trescothick) for much of the season.

They will not find it easy, however, as they clash with a Northants team desperate to crawl out of the final relegation position. Somerset are without Peter Bowler who is sitting a law exam, but Northants are without Mal Loye, David Sales and Darren Cousins due to injuries.

Condemned Essex travel to Scarborough to play Yorkshire. To make their exit even more galling the Essex team will be bystanders as the CricInfo Championship Trophy is awarded to the Yorkshire team at lunch on the first day.

Darren Gough is ruled out with a foot injury, while Craig White is rested prior to his winter work for England. Captain David Byas has revealed that a young side may be put out to help gain experience for next year.

"Wayne Clark has said he wants to include one or two of the young players to see what they can do at this level," Byas said. "We were disappointed with the result down at Surrey but we should reap the benefits in the long term."

In Division Two the scramble for promotion places is too tight to call.

Sussex are in an enviable position having ensured their promotion, and they host third-placed Gloucestershire at Hove. It's a game Gloucestershire may well need to win. Just seven points separate them and the next two teams, Warwickshire and Middlesex and a draw might not be enough.

Warwickshire travel to bottom of the table Derbyshire, a game they are expected to win, while Middlesex travel to Worcestershire in a tougher looking encounter.

Hampshire are favourites to join Sussex in the top division. They play Nottinghamshire at Trent Bridge needing just three points to cement their promotion. Chris Tremlett is added to their side that beat Middlesex last week.

© CricInfo