Image source, Rex Features

In the perfect scenario for neutrals all three outcomes are possible given where the match situation currently rests.

Notts lead by 213 with five wickets in hand and may privately feel that another 80 or 90 runs would set the perfectly tantalising target for Essex to chase.

Any less and the hosts could be in bother and any more might eat too far into the day's overs yet given the steady flow of wickets between two well matched sides, the match has so far stubbornly refused to be engineered.

Much rests on the shoulders of Jack Haynes this morning given he will stride out alongside nigthwatchman Farhan Ahmed. He is unbeaten on 49. Yet Notts have a few thrashers left in the line-up if needed.

The pitch was showing no real signs of deterioration last night with Simon Harmer taking only a couple of wickets in 27 overs. That will be comfort to a Notts side loaded with seamers.

Martin Emmerson
BBC Radio Newcastle

It certainly feels a lot fresher this morning at The Riverside. We've got a stiff southerly wind which is rattling through the stands and it feels a lot cooler than the 14C suggested for the final day of this match.

However, the rain forecast during the last two days does not appear to be heading in our direction anymore, which means we should get a full day in.

Warwickshire saw out their four overs last night without loss and need to bat at 3.39 runs per over to win this one. It's a track which is not the fastest and it's one in which the batsmen will have to graft for their runs.

From a bowling point of view, there's a little bit in it and there's some low bounce at times. But again, they are going to have to work hard to take 10 wickets in the day. And running into that wind from the Lumley End will be no fun at all.

Image source, Getty Images

All to play for on the final day at the Riverside with all three results possible - dream scenario stuff for impartial observers.

Rob Yates and Alex Davies (10*) negotiated a tricky four-over spell in the dying light before stumps without undue alarm last night, after Alex Lees had opted to declare with a lead of 338.

Yates and his skipper will resume this morning with the prospect of a less than three-and-a-half per over chase - if they get a full 96 overs in - with all 10 wickets in hand.

Ben Raine's lovely 81 helped the hosts post such a testing target on Sunday afternoon while Michael Booth's four-over blast of 4-10 in the early afternoon kept things in the balance for a long while.

Let's hope for decent weather, this game deserves a winner.

Image source, Rex Features

Good day for Yorkshire yesterday, not only did they register the biggest win on runs in County Championship history, they also had some good news on the personnel front.

Head coach Anthony McGrath has confirmed that England batters Harry Brook and Joe Root should both be available to play in the County Championship match against Warwickshire which starts on 2 May.

Click here for more.

Despite Kent finding victory yesterday in their clash with Middlesex, we still have plenty of Division Two action to see us through today away from Old Trafford.

Gloucestershire 546 v Glamorgan 385 & 106-0 - Gloucestershire lead by 55

Going into the final day, Glamorgan will have to build a big enough lead to stave off the threat of a Gloucestershire victory.

Zain ul Hassan and Eddie Byrom have built a partnership of 106 runs so far, but the weather might also come to the visitors aid at some stage today.

Leicestershire 484 & 291-8 v Derbyshire 393 - Leicestershire lead by 382

The Foxes have built a big lead to take into the final day and it would be a mammoth task for Derbyshire to find victory, but, who knows what might happen...

The weather doesn't look like it will impact a result today and the home side find themselves in firm control.

Image source, Rex Features

Although Lancashire are batting with greater resolve in the second innings than the first, Northants still hold a big advantage in this Division Two game.

Putting rain worries to one side, Lancashire remain 142 in deficit.

Northants have only ever won a Championship game at Old Trafford four times and never by an innings.

If they manage the feat today, it will be due in no small part to a superb century from Saif Zaib, who made 116 - plus a fine all round contribution from Notts loan player Calvin Harrison (pictured).

To date his leg spin has yielded five wickets in the match and he also scored a first innings 56 batting at number nine!

At least one spot too low for his talent, surely.

Division One

Surrey 253 & 342-9d v Hampshire 219 & 35-3 - Hampshire target 377 runs

Notts 347 & 233-5 v Essex 367 - Notts lead by 213 runs

Durham 387 & 276-8d v Warwickshire 325 & 12-0 - Warwickshire target 339 runs

Sussex 294 & 501-7d v Somerset 201 & 125-4 - Somerset target 595 runs

Division Two

Lancashire 228 & 126-2 f/0 v Northants 496 - Northants lead by 142 runs

Gloucestershire 546 v Glamorgan 385 & 106-0 f/o - Gloucestershire lead by 55 runs

Leicestershire 484 & 291-8 v Derbyshire 393 - Leicestershire lead by 382 runs

Image source, Rex Features

We've been blessed over the past three days with some glorious weather.

In this round of fixtures we've seen just one rain interruption, at the Oval, yesterday afternoon.

Here's hoping our luck holds today, though a finger of rain stretching 300 miles up the west coast doesn't look encouraging, with Old Trafford in particular looking in the firing line after lunch.

Here's the forecast from our colleagues at BBC Weather.

Today

Today, northern and western areas will see outbreaks of rain and showers, with just a few sunny spells possible. South-east England will start sunny, but areas of cloud will move in later. Breezy.

Image source, Getty Images

If you weren't with us yesterday you might have missed Yorkshire registering the biggest victory on runs in County Championship history, while Kent lead the way in Division Two after a thumping win over Middlesex.

Division One

Yorkshire 456 & 315-4 - Bess 107 v Worcestershire 162 & 105 - Yorkshire win by 504 runs

Division Two

Kent 218 & 316-2 - Compton 124* Muyeye 125* v Middlesex 222 & 311 - Kent win by 8 wickets

Image source, Rex Features

Good morning...

A few bleary-eyed sports fans around this morning, I expect. An absolute feast of sport across the weekend culminated with a cinematic conclusion to the US Masters at Augusta in the early hours of this morning.

Rory McIlroy showed levels of character, perseverance, quality and resilience which would surely stand him in good stead on a lime-topped County Championship track in April, as well as completing the career Grand Slam of majors.

Players from Yorkshire and Kent, two teams packed with quality golfers themselves, were able to stay up late and enjoy the spectacle after securing huge wins in the Sunday evening sunshine to enhance their Division One and Two credentials respectively.

But we still have seven games remaining on the slate on this final day, and several teams trying to close out big victories of their own, with players who were hopefully tucked up tight long before Amen Corner.

Settle in for the day and let us be your eyes and ears.