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Surrey’s chances of extending their lead at the top of Division One were hampered after failing to gain a victory against Northamptonshire at Northampton in the latest round of county championship matches.
Opener Nick Welch smashed an unbeaten 127 from 125 balls and Wiaan Mulder hit an unbeaten 71 as Leicestershire kicked off their Royal London Cup campaign with a comfortable win over a very inexperienced Surrey side which included no capped players.
With just three matches remaining in another fascinating county championship season, the battle to see who is crowned Division One champions looks like going down to the wire with both Surrey and Hampshire likely top fight it out to see how will be champions come late September.
The top two sides in the LV=County Championship Division One, Surrey and Hampshire both recorded victories in the latest round of matches.
Essex recovered from a perilous position of 81-6 to eventually be bowled out for 271 thanks to a century from Matt Critchley. At the close Surrey lost Ryan Patel to the last ball of the day to close on 24-1.
A rare Tuesday start for the next round of county championship matches starts this week with leaders Surrey taking on in form Essex at the Kia Oval in Division One.
After another round of county championship matches the battle to see who will be crowned county champions in Division One intensified with leaders Surrey maintaining their lead at the top after a thrilling finish to their match against Yorkshire at Scarborough.
Monday will see the start of another round of LV=Insurance County Championship matches, after a week of Blast knock out stages of the competition it is back to the red ball version of the game.
Yorkshire qualified for Finals day after a pulsating finish at the Kia Oval on Wednesday. Surrey were chasing 161 to win and had slumped to 91-5 before an explosive innings from Jamie Overton dragged the home side back into the contest and favourites for victory, but a superb last over from Jordan Thompson which yielded only three runs saw the visitors edge home by the slimmest of margins.
Wednesday evening will see the first quarter-final in this seasons Vitality Blast, when Surrey will be facing Yorkshire Vikings at the Kia Oval.
Both sides go into their penultimate Blast match in contrasting positions in the South Group with Surrey facing Kent at the Kia Oval.
After a break of two weeks, the red ball version of the game is back this weekend with another round of championship matches starting on Sunday.
Surrey made it seven wins out of eight and maintained their position at the head of the table by three points from Somerset after a comfortable seven wicket victory over rivals Middlesex at the Kia Oval on Friday.
Thursday will see the opening day of the third round of county championship matches with the weather starting to get increasingly warmer.
Ollie Pope continued his impressive start to the new season by hitting a superb 113 not out against the visitors highly rated pace attack, with Surrey earning the opening day honours.
Warwickshire started their defence of the County Championship title in respectable fashion with a high-scoring draw against Surrey at Edgbaston.