There will be a delayed start to this game after rain overnight and a bit of a mop up operation this morning with action set to resume at 11:15.

Lunch will be served at 13:10 with tea 'fixed' at 16:00.

Martin Emmerson
BBC Radio Newcastle

We're set for a prompt start today but the cloud cover remains a concern. We've already lost in the region of 40 overs during this game to bad light.

There are sunny spells forecast for later, but I wouldn't be surprised to see the lights on again at some point.

For now though, it's about Durham gaining as many batting points as they can. And shortly Alex Lees will resume his first innings on 148 and Emilio Gay on 105. Their partnership is worth 242.

Image source, Rex Features

All-rounder Paul Walter said he was happy to "bat where they tell me to bat" after his century helped Essex build a 210-run lead over Worcestershire on day two in Chelmsford.

The left-hander, who has been pressed into service as an opener at the start of this season, hit 13 fours in his 104 off 154 balls - the third first-class hundred of his career.

"It’s just about trying to do the best job I can," said Walter. "A few years ago when I wasn’t playing first team I opened a lot for the twos, so it’s not completely unfamiliar for me. It has been a really nice challenge because it's something new, something to prepare for."

He added: "The biggest thing for me about going up the top of the order is trying to play a little straighter. I am very pleased how I played and how I moved. I managed to hang in there."

BBC Sounds

There are plenty of ways to tune in to today's action with ball-by-ball commentary from the BBC's local radio teams.

You can either select your match by clicking on the 'watch and listen' tab.

Or if you want to listen to Essex v Worcestershire for example on a smart speaker - simply say 'BBC Sounds play Essex v Worcestershire day three'.

Image source, Getty Images

Superb seam bowling from Nottinghamshire on day two put the visitors in charge at Edgbaston.

Fergus O'Neill's 5-19 and Brett Hutton's 5-38 saw Warwickshire skittled over for just 93 - with Sam Hain top scoring for Warks with 43.

"It was a great day for us. It was good to play after yesterday's rain and it went our way with conditions in our favour," O'Neill said.

Haseeb Hameed returns to the crease for the visitors 75 not out and he is joined by Lyndon James who is 15 not out.

Image source, Getty Images

Hampshire all-rounder Liam Dawson believes they are in a "fantastic position" to increase the pressure on Somerset on day three of their game at the Utilita Bowl.

He made an unbeaten 50 as he and Nick Gubbins saw their side into the lead with seven wickets remaining.

"After winning the toss, to bowl them out for 180-odd and now be 10 runs ahead puts us ahead of the game, but there is still a long way to go," the all-rounder said.

"We have to bat well in the first session and try not to do too much differently and see where we are at lunch. Getting a half-century is nice, I haven’t really had the opportunities to contribute (so far this season)."

Image source, Getty Images

Durham will be looking to build a commanding first-innings lead after Alex Lees and Emilio Gay shared a record second-wicket stand against Yorkshire on day two at the Riverside.

The two left-handers put on 242 and were unbeaten on 148 and 105 not out when bad light ended play early.

"It was one of those days where you miss a few but then get in and go big. I remember telling myself 'just keep the same tempo, don’t get drawn into the way he’s playing’," said Gay, whose century was his first since joining Durham from Northants.

"I’m someone who sets really high standards for myself. I know it’s only two games, but with them not going the way I wanted - and us losing - I felt like I really wanted to get a hundred and be in position to keep going."

Image source, Getty Images

England pace bowler Gus Atkinson insisted Surrey were satisfied with the way they fought back on day two at Hove despite Sussex totalling 435 in their first innings.

Having managed only two wickets on the opening day, the reigning champions worked their way through the home batting line-up, despite 145 by Tom Haines, before laying a solid foundation to their reply.

"Sussex batted well yesterday so we had a change of plan and kept the run rate down. We stuck to our plans and the game’s in the balance," said Atkinson, who took 4-120.

"The bowlers did really well. We all put in a big shift. It wasn’t easy out there."

Image source, Getty Images

Leicestershire will take to the field on day three of their away match at Lancashire trailing by 143 runs with nine wickets still remaining.

All-rounder Tom Scriven was the star of the show yesterday for the visitors, producing career best figures of 5-46 and putting Leicestershire in a great position from which to build a first-innings lead from at a sun-draped Old Trafford.

"It was a wicket where every so often you would get a ball that would nip quite sharply or move quite quickly," the 26-year-old said.

Opening batsman Rehan Ahmed returns to the crease 61 not out and is partnered by Ian Holland who currently stands six not out.

Image source, Rex Features

Unbeaten centurion Max Holden said it was time to “finish the job” after a dominant first two days against Glamorgan put Middlesex on track for a first win of 2025.

Holden’s 107 and an ongoing 97-run partnership for the fifth wicket with Ben Geddes (51*) sees the Toby Roland-Jones-led side set out on day three holding all the aces.

But Holden insisted it was important that Middlesex do not let the game drift from this point despite holding a 154 run lead with six wickets still in tact.

“We’re in a good position after a good couple of days. To pile the runs today was great but obviously we have got to finish the job now,” said Holden at the end of a day in which he posted a second century of his season.

Glamorgan seamer Timm van der Gugten, who took 3-55 and was one bright spot for the struggling Welsh side, felt luck was not with his side.

“At periods I thought we were on top, we just didn’t really have any luck and no chances really came our way,” he said.

"Easter Sunday's weather is looking improved, compared to the last couple of days, for many of us, especially towards the west where there's been some heavy rain of late. So a drier, brighter day ahead for most, still the odd shower but tomorrow, Easter Monday, we've got a greater chances of more places catching some heavy downpours" - BBC Weather forecaster Sarah Keith-Lucas.

For more localised forecasts, go to the BBC Weather site and use the search box for the town/city where the game you are most interested in is being played.

Division One

Durham 264-1 v Yorkshire 307

Durham trail Yorkshire by 43 runs with 9 wickets remaining

Essex 179 & 233-6 v Worcestershire 202

Essex lead Worcestershire by 210 runs with 4 wickets remaining

Hampshire 194-3 v Somerset 184

Hampshire lead Somerset by 10 runs with 7 wickets remaining

Sussex 435 v Surrey 90-1

Surrey trail Sussex by 345 runs with 9 wickets remaining

Warwickshire 93 v Nottinghamshire 204-5

Notts lead Warwickshire by 111 runs with 5 wickets remaining

Division Two

Derbyshire 307 v Northamptonshire 236-3

Northamptonshire trail Derbyshire by 71 runs with 7 wickets remaining

Kent 318-7 v Gloucestershire 472

Kent trail Gloucestershire by 154 runs with 3 wickets remaining

Lancashire 263 v Leicestershire 120-1

Leicestershire trail Lancashire by 143 runs with 9 wickets remaining

Middlesex 353-4 v Glamorgan 199

Middlesex lead Glamorgan by 154 runs with 6 wickets remaining

Image source, PA Media

A few days ago Kent head coach Adam Hollioake was quoted as comparing the Easter Bunny to T20 cricket in that it "brings more awareness to the bigger picture".

The 'bigger picture' for us this Easter Sunday is nine games of County Championship cricket which have reached day three.

The first two rounds of this year's Championship showed why so many still egg-stol the virtues of red-ball cricket and once again it looks like we have some egg-citing action in store today.

Play starts at 11:00, and as usual we'll be keeping you right up to date with events as they occur, so please stay with us.