Essex's score of 249-4 looks quite good on paper - good chance of 400 and all that.

But in this match, they are miles behind after Durham's mammoth 587, led by Ollie Robinson's career best 198.

From a precarious 120-4, Matt Critchley (51) and Paul Walter (80) added an unbeaten 129 to prevent further damage.

The follow-on target is 438, still 189 runs away, so Essex need someone to stand up and make a big score.

If not, they could be heading to The Oval on Sunday on the back of a heavy defeat.

Image source, Rex Features

Surrey's Dan Lawrence said day two at New Road was "right up there" with his best ever in cricket after smashing five successive sixes in his 175 and then taking two wickets.

"It was fun after lunch. When we lost JT (James Taylor) at number 10 it was a no-brainer for me to then put my foot down," he told BBC Radio London.

"It was downwind and a short boundary and I just fancied my chances. I tried to hit six every ball. Thankfully I got five away and I couldn’t get the last one."

Worcestershire will resume 343 in arrears and skipper Jake Libby, who is 61 not out, said: "Dan Lawrence’s innings there was sensational. We had controlled the rate very nicely but that over was like a flick of the switch."

This match is shaping up to be a see-saw contest as Hampshire look to break into the top three and Warwickshire strive to move further away from the relegation places.

The Edgbaston surface has rewarded both persistent bowling and patient batting, amply demonstrated by crucial half centuries from Dan Mousley (57) - who took guard when the Bears were 51-2 and Jacob Bethell (69) - who came in with the hosts reeling at 83-5.

Mousley told BBC CWR: "It's a really good cricket wicket and it feels like the wicket is getting better for batting so if we can nip a few out in the morning, then we are definitely back in the driving seat."

The destroyer-in-chief for Hampshire was ex-Bear Keith Barker, now aged 37, who rolled back the years and returned his best figures at his old home ground with 6-74 in a fine exhibition of seam and bounce.

"It was a nice feeling to be back out there at Edgbaston. It felt good to be back on this ground and wicket where I grew up trying to swing the ball. I think the old habits kicked back in and it felt good to get among the wickets," he told BBC Radio Solent.

"The crowd were very kind to me when I went out to bat and I really do appreciate it. I thought I was going to spend the rest of my career at Warwickshire but certain people thought my best was gone, so to come back and get the ovation I have had at times has been really really nice."

Image source, Getty Images

Image source, Rex Features

A century by former skipper Tom Abell put a smile on the faces of everyone in the Somerset dressing room as they reached 293-4 on day two at Trent Bridge.

"We are so happy for Tom. He took a tough decision to give up the captaincy last year and then missed the first chunk of the red-ball season through injury," said team-mate Tom Lammonby, who made 87 as they shared a stand of 157.

“It is almost like a weight has been lifted off his shoulders a little bit and he can focus on his batting."

Notts assistant coach Kevin Shine said: "You always want a few more wickets but we made them play and miss, created some pressure, and you have to give credit to Tom Abell for the way he played in what is only his second game of four-day cricket this year."

Image source, Rex Features

Lancashire have dominated the first two days of this battle of Division One's bottom two for easily their best two days of the season so far - albeit with little competition.

Josh Bohannon batted the whole of day two in Canterbury to finish on 182 not out, his first century of the summer.

The Red Rose have picked up four batting points in their 110 overs, so the focus now is on how to win the game.

They already lead by 158, so will want at least another 100 before unleashing Nathan Lyon in the second innings.

Surely it was for scenarios like this that Lancs were so keen to bring in the Australia great.

Image source, Rex Features

Essex all-rounder Matt Critchley admitted their batting approach was more like Geoff Boycott than Bazball after steady progress on day two in response to Durham's big first-innings score.

Critchley (51) and Paul Walter (80) shared an unbroken partnership of 129 after they had been reduced to 120-4.

"It was probably a bit boring the way we batted to be honest. We were Boycott compared to their guys going at a run a ball," said Critchley.

"I was looking to score out there but it was one of those days where you haven’t hit the boundaries you want. The big lad (Walter) was a bit more fluid than I was – it is great to have him back in the team after injury.”

Image source, Rex Features

Division Two leaders Sussex have a fourth victory of the season in their sights after ending day two at Hove with a healthy 233-run lead over Leicestershire.

England seamer Ollie Robinson took 3-36 as the Foxes were bowled out for 275, despite an innings of 92 by Australian Peter Handscomb.

"We have been exceptional from the get go. To get 442 on that pitch was a great effort and John Simpson played unbelievably well (for 183) and then us bowlers have just toiled away," said Robinson.

"We feel like this pitch isn’t going to get better. It’s starting to spin so hopefully we can bat for maybe three-quarters of the day and push on and hopefully win another game."

We've just seen a BBC Weather social media post that uses the word "noctilucent" and it's too good not to repeat it - the word refers to clouds and means 'visible or glowing at night', apparently.

Anyway.....the forecast suggests that after yesterday's hottest day of the year so far, it could be even warmer in places today.

If you are following this text commentary at one of the grounds, out in your garden or at a local park, don't forget to keep hydrated and slap on the sunscreen.

Division One

Essex 249-4 v Durham 587

Essex trail by 338 with 6 wickets standing

Kent 244 v Lancashire 402-4

Lancashire lead by 158 with 6 wickets standing

Nottinghamshire 360 v Somerset 293-4

Somerset trail by 67 with 6 wickets standing

Warwickshire 254 v Hampshire 298 & 88-2

Hampshire lead by 132 with 8 wickets standing

Worcestershire 147-7 v Surrey 490

Worcestershire trail by 343 with 3 wickets standing

Division Two

Glamorgan 390-8 v Northamptonshire 279

Glamorgan lead by 111 with 2 wickets standing

Middlesex 433 v Derbyshire 308-4

Derbyshire trail by 125 with 6 wickets standing

Sussex 442 & 66-2 v Leicestershire 275

Sussex lead by 233 with 8 wickets standing

Yorkshire 456 v Gloucestershire 168-7

Gloucestershire trail by 288 with 3 wickets standing

Image source, Rex Features

Sir Arthur Conan Doyle didn't just write Sherlock Holmes stories.

He once dismissed WG Grace, external and his poem A Reminiscence of Cricket begins: "Once in my heyday of cricket, One day I shall ever recall! I captured that glorious wicket, The greatest, the grandest of all."

Of course, Irene Cara only needed three words to say the same thing - what a feeling!

Who will be on a wicket-taking high in the County Championship today? Stay right here to find out. Play starts at 11:00.