Image source, Getty Images

Somerset batter Tom Abell believes it was "honours even" on the opening day of their home game against Division One leaders Notts.

Abell contributed 64 to Somerset's 275-6 at stumps, one of three batters to pass 50 - and Tom Banton will resume on 57 not out after being dropped at slip on two.

"Notts have a quality attack and they bowled with great discipline, making us fight for every run. We managed to build a few partnerships without ever quite gaining the momentum we wanted," said Abell.

“It’s a really good pitch. It offered a bit for the bowlers, but runs can be scored on it. We hope it will deteriorate as the game goes on so that our spinners can come into the game."

"We've more sunshine across England and Wales today. The heat and humidity is developing more widely and more quickly as well, but there is a change coming in the north west as cloud and rain gathers here and that will push its way down across the country in the next few days" - the words of BBC Weather's Darren Bett.

It could reach 34C in the south and east, so if you are going to any of the games in those areas, please take appropriate precautions.

There was a day of pendulum-like momentum swings at Chesterfield where winless Lancashire recovered from a slow start to post a competitive total in their Division Two clash with unbeaten Derbyshire.

The Red Rose slumped to 44-4 but recovered to reach 238-6 at one point off the back of an imperious 106 from Keaton Jennings and a maiden red-ball century from Australian bowling all-rounder Chris Green, who made 121 with 20 fours and a six along the way.

The innings came to an abrupt halt in the lengthening shadows last night, with paceman Zak Chappell ending with 4-73 and he said: "There's a little bit in the wicket but it's such a fast scoring ground that you can feel the game is getting away from you.

"They've done well to get to where they were, considering... I think it will be at its best to bat (on day two) so we need to get through the new ball and just bat."

Jimmy Anderson with a new ball in hand might have something to say about that...

Image source, Rex Features

Image source, Rex Features

Middlesex opener Sam Robson defended the use of Kookaburra balls in mid-season Championship games after scoring 133 on the opening day against Division Two pacesetters Leicestershire.

The switch from the Dukes balls used earlier in the season has come in for plenty of negative comment among county coaches and pundits.

But Robson said: "Kookaburra or not, the new ball is the new ball and presents a similar challenge.

"There has been a lot of chat about the Kookaburra but I don’t necessarily agree with it. In recent years there have been so many low-scoring games, dominated by seamers and medium pacers. And last week at Northampton both sides were bowled out, we set up a declaration and there was a positive result, with a lot of spin bowled.

"It is a good time of year to be using it. Sometimes in first-class cricket it can be hard to take wickets and I don’t think there is much wrong with that."

Division One

Hampshire v Worcestershire 456-3

Somerset 275-6 v Nottinghamshire

Surrey 407-3 v Durham

Sussex v Warwickshire 372-7

Yorkshire v Essex 248-3

Division Two

Derbyshire v Lancashire 367

Glamorgan v Gloucestershire 279-7

Kent 325-4 v Northamptonshire

Leicestershire v Middlesex 336-5

Image source, Getty Images

We've just been reading that British number one Jack Draper played a bit of cricket at school and Cameron Norrie has been quoted as saying he was "best at it" when a youngster.

Why are we telling you that? Because it's the first day of Wimbledon today - but it's also day two of nine County Championship matches.

There was some sizzling action on Sunday, especially at the Utilita Bowl where Worcestershire's Adam Hose made 266 at better than a run per ball, while Lancashire's Chris Green - who comes from a tennis-playing family - was among seven other centurions.

Welcome to our coverage of the second day's play, which begins at 11:00.