Summary

  • County Championship resumes after two-month break

  • This is first of six rounds of matches across the next six weeks

  • Zak Crawley hits 81 for Kent at Middlesex - his highest score of the season

  • Surrey rip through leaders Notts' top order at The Oval

  • Opener Josh Thomas scores century for Somerset at home to Essex

  • Division One: Hampshire v Yorkshire; Leics v Glamorgan; Warwicks v Sussex

  • Division Two: Derbyshire v Durham; Gloucestershire v Worcestershire; Lancashire v Northants

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  1. wicket

    WICKETpublished at 15:24 BST

    Bell-Drummond c Cracknell b Roland-Jones 8 (Middlesex v Kent 219-4)

    Daniel Bell-Drummond was struggling to find any real rhythm and the Kent captain's stay at the crease is brought to an end.

    Some gentle outswing from Toby Roland-Jones, Bell-Drummond follows it and it's a good grab behind the wicket from Joe Cracknell.

    Middlesex are fighting back hard considering how well Zak Crawley was going earlier.

  2. wicket

    WICKETpublished at 15:20 BST

    Hill c & b Neal 3 (Hampshire v Yorkshire 83-7)

    Another Yorkshire wicket falls and, having won the toss and batted first, they're in danger of not making it to three figures here.

    George Hill offers a return catch to Andrew Neal, who dives low to his left and clutches it at the second attempt.

  3. Pitch inspection at Leicesterpublished at 15:18 BST

    Leicestershire 71-4 v Glamorgan (rain stopped play)

    Time to get the kettle on at Leicester. They taking an early tea having managed just three overs in the afternoon session.

    The rain has stopped but it could be a while before play resumes.

    The ground staff will be removing covers and soaking up water during the interval with the hope that they may be able to return not long after 16:00

  4. wicket

    WICKETpublished at 15:17 BST

    Thomas b Snater 110 (Somerset 213-3 v Essex)

    Josh Thomas is finally out.

    Shane Snater goes wide on the crease, arcs one back in, Thomas plays down the wrong line and the ball clips the top of his off stump.

    A very good effort from the Taunton-born opener though. His second Championship ton this summer, both of which have come on home soil.

    His three-and-a-half hour stay took 162 balls, bringing him 15 fours and a six.

    New man at the crease is Tom Abell.

    Also blue skies being reported over Birmingham, from beyond the City End.

  5. get involved

    Get Involvedpublished at 15:14 BST

    Click on yellow 'Get Involved' button to send your message

    Interesting after 3 home draws, Surrey have left a green top v Notts!

    David Asker, The Oval

    As David notes, all the games at The Oval this summer have ended in draws with an average of 26 wickets.

    This match looks like it will be played at a faster pace.

  6. Stokes on showpublished at 15:14 BST

    Derbyshire v Durham 5-0 (rain stopped play)

    It's been a frustrating day in Derby, where only 16 balls have been possible because of rain and the covers are still on.

    Ben Stokes is in the Durham side, making his first red-ball appearance since retiring from international cricket earlier this summer, and has been signing autographs for some of those in attendance.

    Ben Stokes signs some autographsImage source, PA Media
  7. 50 runs

    Half-century for Henry Nichollspublished at 15:14 BST

    Somerset 213-2 v Essex

    Somerset's Henry Nicholls has a half-century on his debut.

    And a stand of 119 with Josh Thomas, to boot.

    Things going very well for the hosts here...

  8. Close!published at 15:08 BST

    Surrey v Notts 76-6

    How did that miss! Liam Patterson-White leaves one from Jordan Clark that jags back.

    The ball flies over the stumps almost grazing the bails.

  9. Postpublished at 15:07 BST

    Hampshire v Yorkshire 80-6

    Kyle Abbott throwing the ball out of his right armImage source, Shutterstock

    You'll struggle to take the ball out of the hands of Kyle Abbott right now as he chases yet another five-wicket haul. He's taken 4-7 in 14 overs.

    He's also the leading wicket-taker in Division One of the County Championship this season with 43 and counting.

    His experience will be invaluable if Hampshire are to drag themselves away from the relegation places.

  10. sun

    Resumption at Edgbastonpublished at 15:02 BST

    Warwickshire v Sussex 50-1 (13 overs)

    Good news in Birmingham.

    You can hear the sound of the big modern-day Brumbrella cover hovering off, which means play is set to resume.

    After a two-hour break, there are 51 overs left in the day, 32 overs having been lost.

    And tea is due to be taken at 16:25.

    Good luck everyone.

  11. Pitch inspection at Leicesterpublished at 15:01 BST

    Leics 71-4 v Glamorgan

    The umpires are going to take a look at 15:05.

    That doesn't mean we can expect a quick resumption.

    They've been off since just after lunch.

  12. wicket

    WICKETpublished at 14:57 BST

    Wharton b Neal 24 (Hampshire v Yorkshire 76-6)

    Hampshire strike again and it's a big wicket as James Wharton's 84-ball 24 comes to an end.

    Andrew Neal gives one a little bit more air, Wharton attempts to turn the ball into the legside, the ball spins past his outside edge and clips the stumps.

  13. 100 runs

    100 for Josh Thomaspublished at 14:56 BST

    Somerset 198-2 v Essex (50.2 overs)

    Left-hander Joshua Thomas playing a big shot for SomersetImage source, Getty Images
    Image caption,

    Josh Thomas hit his maiden century in early May against Yorkshire - also at Taunton

    Josh Thomas reaches the second first-class century of his career, as he puts Simon Harmer away for his 15th boundary.

    Both of those tons have come this summer - and both on his home ground here at Taunton.

    His stand with Henry Nicholls (44) has also gone into three figures.

    Somerset are well on top here.

  14. rain stops play

    Rain stops playpublished at 14:54 BST

    Glos 107-5 v Worcs

    We manage three more balls after Ollie Price's dismissal in which time Daz Ahmed gets off the mark with a four before the expected rain arrives and the players are running for cover.

    Poor old Price, that he could not make it to this interruption.

  15. 50 runs

    50 for Sam Northeastpublished at 14:51 BST

    Middlesex v Kent 201-3

    A patient half-century by Sam Northeast for Kent at Merchant Taylors' School.

    He guides his 117th ball behind square to the boundary, bringing up Kent's 200 in the process.

  16. wicket

    WICKETpublished at 14:50 BST

    Price b Waite 31 (Glos 103-5 v Worcs)

    There is a delay in play as Tommy Boorman receives some treatment from the physio.

    And when we do resume, the man at the other end, Ollie Price is cleaned up by Matthew Waite.

    Surely that break must have broken his concentration as his 117-ball innings is over.

  17. wicket

    WICKETpublished at 14:50 BST

    Martindale c Foakes b Clark 13 (Surrey v Notts 70-6)

    A battling debut in difficult conditions from Ben Martindale but he's gone for an unlucky 13.

    He edges a Jordan Clark delivery to Ben Foakes behind the stumps and looks up to see the umpire's finger raised.

  18. Hants and Abbott back in the groovepublished at 14:49 BST

    Hampshire v Yorkshire 76-5

    Dan George
    BBC Sport England at Utilita Bowl

    What a way for Hampshire and Kyle Abbott to resume play after the rain delay.

    It took a little while for the umpire to raise his finger but when he did the crowd in the pavilion let out the biggest cheer we've had today.

    George Hill is the new Yorkshire batter in the middle.

  19. It's raining still at Leicesterpublished at 14:49 BST

    Leics 71-4 v Glamorgan

    No sign of any improvement in the weather at Leicester sadly.

    They got a full morning session of play there but very little since.

  20. Pitch inspectionpublished at 14:47 BST

    Derbyshire v Durham 5-0

    The result of the pitch inspection at 14:30 is...

    Another pitch inspection at 15:00.

    Yes, it's one of those days in Derby.