English County Cricket is often held up as an example of a deeply boring sport. Games take 4 days to complete, and most end in a draw. But in many ways a 4-day cricket match is the equivalent of a 4-game series in baseball, with ebbs and flows of fortune from one day to the next, and the possibility of the result being split. Both sports also have long seasons, and ideally you want things to go down to the wire. This year County Cricket has hit the jackpot.

The league is divided into two divisions of 9 teams each, with two teams promoted and relegated each year. Each team plays 16 games – home and away against each opponent. The final series of games is due to start tomorrow. In the first division 18 points separates first place from fourth, but with a maximum of 22 points available for a win, any of the top four teams could end up champions. At the bottom Surrey are already relegated (so both of the London teams will be in the second division next year), but a mere five points separates the other four sides, one of which will also be relegated. There is everything to fight for, and Surrey are the one team on a bye so all four matches will be intense.

How does the point system work? Well, you get 14 points for a win, and 4 for a draw. There are also 8 bonus points available depending on your performance batting and bowling in the first innings (the games are played over two innings of 10 outs each).

The schedule of matches (and team positions in the league) are as follows:

• Kent (6) v Durham (3) (Canterbury)
• Notts (1) v Hampshire (4) (Trent Bridge)
• Somerset (2) v Lancashire (5) (Taunton)
• Sussex (7) v Yorkshire (8) (Hove)

Nottinghamshire have their fate firmly in their own hands. A win over Hampshire would seal the title. But Hampshire are still in with a chance themselves, being only 18 points off the lead. Somerset are 8 points behind, so they probably need a win to top the table, as do Durham who are 10 points behind, but Kent and Lancashire will be fighting for their lives to avoid relegation. And at Hove a win for either Sussex or Yorkshire will secure safety and probably doom the other team to the drop.

Of course there is always the possibility of rain, but the games begin tomorrow and thus far the forecast seems set fair through the weekend, at least around here.

If you didn’t follow that, the BBC has their own explanation.