STATOS praying for Somerset's first ever county cricket championship have had the calculators out after the penultimate round of matches ended today (Thursday, September 15).

As things stand, Somerset are third in the table on 203 points, one behind Yorkshire, who they thrashed inside three days this week.

Top of the pack at the moment are Middlesex on 213 points after their draw against Lancashire.

Middlesex need 15 points from their final game at home to Yorkshire to be crowned outright champions, so a win for the London side would ensure they lift the trophy.

Realistically, Somerset will need to beat already relegated Nottinghamshire to stand any chance of coming top.

If Somerset win with maximum points (24) and Yorkshire and Middlesex draw, then the title would come to the Cooper Associates County Ground - although Middlesex could sneak it with a tie.

Yorkshire are also hopeful of retaining the title they won last year - they will need to beat Middlesex and collect at least the same number of points as Somerset.

If Yorkshire and Somerset both win, and Somerset get one more point than Yorkshire, then the title will be shared between the two sides.

Confused? Well, just get down to the Cooper Associates County Ground, in Taunton, on Tuesday to cheer Somerset on in their four-day game against Notts.