From Bernie: "@Middlesex_CCC, external captain Leus du Plooy disappointing the crowd here @HomeOfCricket, external by batting on on Day 4, thereby guaranteeing a draw. I'm going home - what's the point? No wonder county cricket is dying. #bbccricket, external."

Image source, Rex Features

Will Luxton takes a couple off Siddarth Kaul's 15th over.

Justin Broad is then introduced for his first bowl of day four, replacing Ben Sanderson.

Shan Masood takes a single before Luxton drives nicely for four.

Sanderson has changed ends and it's Kaul who is takes a breather.

Aaron Beard has an important role for Essex today in the absence of Sam Cook. There's certainly not a lot of grass on the pitch to encourage extravagant seam movement.

It's a decent start by the paceman which costs him just a Ben Compton single.

As always, we have ball by ball coverage of the seven remaining games today, thanks to our BBC 5 Live Sports Extra and BBC local radio teams.

It's the usual procedure - choose a commentary via the Watch and Listen tab at the top of this page and we'll continue providing text updates so you know what's happening at the other grounds.

The players have re-emerged at Grace Road after that mercifully brief rain delay.

Eddie Byrom collects a single off the first ball after resumption from Ian Holland.

Marnus Labuschagne is watchful and plays out three dots.

Nathan Fernandes has impressed since he came in.

He came in when the fourth wicket fell on 275 and has batted very tidily since.

We already have spin at both ends from Sussex following a short burst by their new-ball pair.

Jack Carson is turned away for four by Jack Davies as he and Nathan Fernandes approach a 50 partnership for Middlesex.

And there it is - first ball of a new Carson over, Davies chips over mid-on and they pick up two runs.

Yorkshire are looking to get on with it in their pursuit of quick runs this morning.

Ben Sanderson bangs in a short ball to Yorkshire skipper Shan Masood who guides it backward through point for a single. He moves to 93.

Will Luxton then turns the final ball of his over through legside for another single.

The lead is up to 242.

Like partner Ben Compton, Daniel Bell-Drummond's first runs come courtesy of a boundary.

Jamie Porter angles one into the pads and he times it sweetly, beating the square leg fielder to the rope.

That isn't so convincing as Porter finds the edge, but DBD's thick edge runs away wide of second slip - who doesn't move - for four more.

Good news at Leicester where the groundstaff are removing the covers from the bowler's run-ups.

Most are sporting a rain jacket-shorts combo which sums up the mixed bag of weather we're expecting.

The covers are tentatively taken off the square. Play may soon be on the horizon.

We tried this one out on you yesterday and got a few responses, but we want more....

As we reach the half-way point of the County Championship who has been the stand-out player so far?

Is it Durham's David Bedingham with his 795 runs, including five hundreds, or Sam Cook of Essex for his 29 wickets?

They are just a couple of 'possibles' - get in touch and let us know your choice.

Kent need Ben Compton at his adhesive best in this situation.

He nudges Jamie Porter down to third man for four to get off the mark.

Absolutely no danger there, it was a controlled shot all along the ground.

What a start for Essex.

Shane Snater just tightening up his line and Zak Crawley's feast or mostly famine season continues.

It's a pretty sound call from the umpire.

Barring an unexpected turn of events, it could be a long day at Lord's.

Fynn Hudson-Prentice and Ollie Robinson start with back-to-back maidens before Nathan Fernandes picks up a couple off the former and moves to 56 not out.

Ian Holland opens up at the other end to Eddie Byrom who defends the first two balls.

Then, oh my, the rain gets heavier and the umpires summon the covers.

We've had eight balls of the day and the players are back in the pavilion.

This does seem cruel.

Siddarth Kaul bowls the final ball of the over interrupted by rain last evening. Nothing doing by Will Luxton.

Ben Sanderson is in action at the other end and Shan Masood square cuts his second ball for four to advance to 86 not out.

Remember, Yorkshire are apparently looking to add another 120 to their lead before contemplating a declaration.

You’d imagine we’re going to need a burst of quick wickets and a Glamorgan slump to set up anything other than handshakes all round at 5pm.

Leicestershire got the ball rolling early when Matt Salisbury removed Billy Root for one, but the rain then came to spoil everyone’s fun just two overs into the evening session.

Drops of rain begin to fall lightly just as Marnus Labuschagne face the first ball of the day delivered by Sailsbury.

His fifth ball keeps a trifle low, but safely navigated by the Australian. Maiden.

Jamie Porter bowls the first over at Canterbury and Zak Crawley is immediately under way with a single from his opening delivery.