This is very much a hands in pockets day between deliveries in the field here at a grey, chilly Lord's.

Max Holden is beaten again outside off stump by Singh-Dale.

Archie Bailey is a bit wayward at times but continues to show promise with a superb leg cutter that goes up the slope, fizzing straight across Mark Stoneman on the way to keeper James Bracey.

The next ball however is a full toss and pushed to wide mid off for two.

A single off the third ball and Holden clips to fine leg for four. Four more guided through gully.

The sun has appeared at Taunton and both batsmen have eased into driven fours of Kemar Roach.

First the left-hander Tom Lammonby takes him through cover-point.

And then Archie Vaughan, the right-hander out at number three, presses another overpitched delivery through cover.

This is good bowling from Tom Price, round the wicket and drawing Max Holden into repeated plays and misses.

Mark Stoneman shoulders arms and leaves Ajeet Singh-Dale well outside off.

Archie Bailey is given his first bowl in Championship cricket and Holden edges just short of Ben Charlesworth at slip.

Holden gets away with three driven through mid off.

Stoneman plays and misses outside off. Encouraging start for Bailey.

This is a tough watch for Northants, who have barely got into second gear since the early loss of Prithvi Shaw.

Gus Miller is struck on the pad by Zak Chappell but the ball is too leg side for the LBW.

The next ball is again leg side and clipped away for two.

Seven runs scored off five overs.

Update from Canterburypublished at 10:50 BST 9 September 2024

10:50 BST 9 September 2024

Kent v Hampshire - delayed start

The umpires have inspected the outfield at Canterbury and decided that no play will be possible before lunch.

That lunch will, however, be brought forward to 12:00 BST.

Hopefully, it won't be too long before play gets under way in the Division One relegation tussle at Chester-le-Street.

The drizzle has departed and the toss is set for 10:50 BST - with umpires hopeful of play beginning at 11:15.

Nick Webb
BBC Radio Wales

Sam Northeast's away record is brilliant, his home record is awful.

In away Championship innings this season he has scored 872 runs for eight times out. He has also been out eight times in Cardiff but has only managed 43 runs!

So he averages five and a bit at home and 100-odd away. It is extraordinary.

Mark Stoneman tries to work Tom Price into the leg side but is unable to get the ball away.

Max Holden scrambles a leg bye off Singh-Dale and Stoneman drives gloriously past a diving cover for four.

Stoneman plays just inside the line off the last ball to see out the over.

It's a very grey day and the floodlights are likely to be on for the duration.

Rain at Chester-le-Street and Canterbury has meant tosses haven't occurred at either ground.

Looks like play isn't too far away at Durham and there's also good news for Kent and Hampshire supporters with the umpires taking a look at conditions.

There will also be a delayed start at Chelmsford, where Nottinghamshire won the toss and stuck Essex in before the clouds burst.

BBC Sounds

If you love listening to the County Championship action, you can now access our ball-by-ball radio commentary on most smart speakers, as well as through the 'Watch & listen' link at the top of this page.

Simply tell your smart speaker to ask BBC Sounds to play the fixture of your choice and the day of play. So, for example, today you could say "ask BBC Sounds to play Somerset v Surrey".

You can hear the wind blowing on the BBC microphone as Sam Robson and Mark Stoneman make their way to the middle to open the batting.

The floodlights are on.

Ajeet Singh Dale will bowl to Robson.