2.25pm Hampshire 219 (Brown 78, Lawes 5-27) and 138 for 5 lead Surrey 207 (Sudharsan 73, Clark 50*, Dawson 5-44) by 150 runs

As far as successful title defences go, a feat they've achieved on 11 previous occasions, this was somewhat unremarkable in its conclusion. Essex did push them close, winning six on the bounce before their penultimate round defeat to Hampshire, but Surrey had established ample ground between themselves and the rest in the months before.

Only when they made it through to lunch did the players on the field embrace in the middle, as James Vince and Nick Gubbins headed off with Hampshire on 67 for 2, leading by 78, as if that even mattered anymore.

They were ruthless when they needed to be, with four of their eight wins to date coming inside three days. Moreover, they have contended throughout with absences at the Indian Premier League and England duty. Even here, having welcomed back Smith and Jacks from the ODI series against Ireland, they are without Sam Curran and Gus Atkinson, who headed to India on Wednesday evening for the 50-over World Cup.