Surrey went into this week’s last round of fixtures leading second-placed Essex by 20 points, knowing that five points from their encounter with Hampshire would suffice.

They received three bowling bonus points but no batting points after being bowled out for 207 before clinching their 21st title, as Essex did not receive any batting points during their game against Northamptonshire.

Essex were all out for 211 at Wantage Road, with Tom Taylor taking the wicket of Jamie Porter just before noon on day three to secure Surrey as champions.

With only one defeat in 13 games, at home to Lancashire in June, they become the first team to retain the county crown since Yorkshire in 2014 and 2015.

Yorkshire has won the most county titles (33) since the competition began in 1890, but Surrey’s 21 triumphs – including a joint crown with Lancashire in 1950 – place them comfortably second.

Except for the Covid-affected seasons of 2020 and 2021, this is Surrey’s third Championship championship in the last four years, having also won it in 2018.

And, having also won it in 2000 and 2002, it is their fifth title success since two-tier cricket began 23 years ago, putting them farther ahead of Sussex, Yorkshire, and Durham, who each have three.