Good news up in the north east where the rain has finally relented and the clean-up operation has begun.

Play has been set for a 4:45 BST resumption, with 28 overs remaining in the day.

We could be in for another late finish if the light holds. Play went on to 7:30 BST last evening so get comfy.

With the rain still falling at Queen's Park, the players are taking an early tea.

The jury's out whether we'll get any more play today with light rain forecast for the next couple of hours.

A light rain is falling again at Grace Road.

It's nothing heavy, but the umpires decide it's a good time to take an early tea.

We're unlikely to be off for more than the standard 20 minutes.

Tom Banton is forward to Ed Barnard, driving to long off for one and he'll keep the strike after the tea interval.

Warwickshire have had an encouraging session of play with three wickets inside the first 17 overs.

Banton is 18 not out after a streaky start, edging between first and second slip.

for Feroze Khushipublished at 15:45 British Summer Time 1 July

15:45 BST 1 July

Hampshire 505-8d v Kent 56-1

He's making up for lost time. The Essex loanee will only play one Championship match during his spell with Kent but he's trying to make it a memorable one.

Mo Abbas has banged one down the leg side and Khushi has clipped it, nothing more, and it has sailed over the deep square leg boundary. Superbly timed.

He follows up with a pull for four but Abbas thinks he has revenge as the next ball is edged to fourth slip. The Hampshire players celebrate but Khushi lingers, he is not convinced that carried. And neither is te square leg umpire.

Khushi survives. Hampshire don't look too thrilled. He is on 40 from 26 balls.

Leicestershire pile on the agony for Middlesex who will have to bat extremely well to avoid a first defeat of the season.

Ben Mike takes a couple off Ethan Bamber to bring up the 50 partnership for the ninth wicket with Ben Green (30 not out).

It came off just 40 balls with Mike smiting 22 of those runs.

The lead is closing on 400 - but there is still plenty of time in the game.

Walter dropped on 64published at 15:42 British Summer Time 1 July

15:42 BST 1 July

Surrey 262 v Essex 175-7

James Taylor bowls to Eathan Bosch, who leaves a wide one outside off to see out the over.

Paul Walter drives the ball on the ground to Jordan Clark who stops the ball in his follow through to prevent the run.

There's a bit of cloud cover here at the Oval as Clark gets a ball to cut back sharply into Walter, defending on the back foot.

Dropped! Paul Walter hits a return catch to Jordan Clark who misses a very sharp chance at shoulder height.

How crucial will that be? In all fairness, that ball was motoring and it would've been an outstanding grab.

Dan Whiting
BBC Radio London

Essex have not had much luck since they arrived here yesterday morning but they are still in the game.

You'd think 40 or 50 runs here from these last two wickets could not only be game defining but Championship defining.

Leicestershire are having some fun and Bens Mike and Green have swollen their lead to 377.

With 44 overs remaining in the day and dark skies making floodlights a real possibility, you could see some logic in them actually declaring and having a crack at their visitors this afternoon.

Annie Chave
BBC Somerset

Warwickshire definitely look more dangerous than the Somerset bowlers looked this morning.

Banton in the moodpublished at 15:33 British Summer Time 1 July

15:33 BST 1 July

Somerset 75-3 v Warwickshire 412

Tom Banton is forward to Michael Booth, glancing the ball to square leg for a couple of runs.

The fifth ball is short and Banton is up on tiptoes to slap the ball high over point for six!

What a shot! That ball looked to be out of reach. Not for Banton.

Daniel Bell-Drummond is rapped on the pads by Mo Abbas. It was heading down leg but it's still a deeply uncomfortable position for Kent, this.

A nasty little mini-session before the late tea interval.

We're into the final 50 overs of the day, at least.

Feroze Khushi is playing a positve innings and has 21 from 16 balls. Still in white-ball mode perhaps.

How close can Essex get to this Surrey total? They're surely in the game if they can get around 210 to 220.

Paul Walter is forward to James Taylor with a delightful flick to square leg for four.

His wicket is key for both teams.

Tom Banton is forward to defend and gets off the mark with an edge between first and second slip for four runs off Michael Booth.

Streaky. Warwickshire are bossing this game and will have high hopes of an innings lead at this point.

Ben Mike and Ben Green have taken the lead past 350 as Middlesex continue to toil away at Grace Road.

Still 46 overs left in the day - if you're planning to attend this one on Wednesday you might wish to start planning alternative arrangements...

Eathan Bosch tries to turn Tom Lawes down the on side but that ball has beaten the bat and the keeper for four byes.

A flowing drive brings four runs through extra cover.