Timm van der Gugten will be frustrated to have failed with the bat yesterday (inside edging for one of six Handscomb catches behind the sticks), as even the bowlers have been making hay vs the kookaburra ball on these flat June tracks, after last week's heat wave.

But he now has ball in hand for the 81st over of Leicestershire's first innings, bowling to Lewis Hill and nightwatcher Chris Wright (who in fairness has the strike rate more akin to a night hawk).

100 for Tilak Varmapublished at 11:06 British Summer Time 24 June

11:06 BST 24 June

Essex 296 v Hants 295-4

India international Tilak Varma would have been sweating overnight, but he punches two through the covers to move to a magnificent hundred on his Hampshire debut.

It has featured 11 fours and three sixes and has been a superb watch.

Image source, Rex Features

Four byes from Matthew Fisher's first over means Worcestershire only trail by four runs now.

The fly in the ointment is the four wickets they have lost.

Yorkshire's nightwatcher Dan Moriarty gets the scoring under way on day three with an inside edge to square leg, before Finlay Bean pulls a short ball to the fence.

He moves to 90.

250 up for Durhampublished at 11:03 British Summer Time 24 June

11:03 BST 24 June

Durham 251-5 v Sussex 361

A no-ball from Gurinder Sandhu brings up the Durham 250 and a first batting point for the home side.

It's blustery in the North East but dry, and that's the important thing.

A wicket fell with the final ball of last night so we have Bas de Leede in for Durham, joining Graham Clark.

Gurinder Sandhu has five balls of an over to complete.

Harry Everett
BBC Sport from Edgbaston

All set on what is meant to be the nicest day of the three so far in a still slightly breezy Birmingham.

Migael Pretorius to bowl to Alex Davies on 63*.

Here's what Somerset batting coach Shane Burger had to say last night...

"I think the game is very well-poised. I thought they batted superbly. We did create a few chances that we didn't grab and if we had taken those chances we could have been really in the driving seat.

"However, I'm really proud of the way we batted and put that total on the board. I think it is our highest first innings total away from home for a long time. We have spoken about how we can improve ourselves away from home so it was really good to see the reaction from the guys."

Pragmatically something truly remarkable has to happen if this 148th Championship meeting of these sides is not to conclude in a 68th draw.

Okay, we may all have to channel our inner Carol Kirkwood today but we'll keep you updated with any weather related stoppages and restarts.

We already know there will be a delayed start at Bristol where, providing there is no further rain, Gloucestershire and Derbyshire will resume at 11:30 (BST).

But we are under way (for the most part) on day three...

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Harry Everett
BBC Sport from Edgbaston

Image source, Harry Everett

The car park here was far more full this morning, but it does not seem to translate to a bigger crowd in the stands yet, though people can easily be lost in the concourse and eateries of this massive international venue.

Jacob Bethell has still not faced a ball in two days and he skipped the football warm up down below me to have some extra throw downs, while one of the current not out batsmen, Tom Latham has been doing some shuttle runs without his pads on.

Image source, Getty

Four late wickets for Surrey saw them take control of the County Championship game at New Road, as Worcestershire ended day two on 69-4, trailing by eight runs.

Ben Allison led the way for the hosts, with his 5-44 helping restrict Surrey to 291 all out, where Dom Sibley top scored with a measured 73.

With a lead of 77, Surrey's seam bowling attack ensured the day belonged to them with another potent bowling display.

Nathan Smith and Matt Fisher collected two wickets apiece, as Worcestershire's top four all fell in an evening session that put the visitors well in control.

Leicestershire are looking good to continue their great season, strengthening their place at the top of Division Two with batting bonus points accrued thanks in large part to Sol Budinger and Rehan Ahmed against Glamorgan.

Lancashire are faring well without Marcus Harris in Jimmy Anderson's first game as skipper but after just two days (and a rain reduced first) we have little idea of the result come day four of their match with Kent.

Gloucestershire may struggle to eke out a draw at Bristol with Derbyshire dominating still after Jack Morley's six-wicket haul on day one.

Northamptonshire and Middlesex continue to look very much mid-table sides in what could be a high-scoring kookaburra draw special at Wantage Road.

The top two sides both consolidated their solid day one performances on day two.

Nottinghamshire piled on the runs and then took three Yorkshire wickets, while Surrey moved into a winning position against Worcestershire.

Third-placed Sussex are evenly poised in their match against Durham, while the runs continued to flow at Edgbaston as Somerset and Warwickshire try to force their way into the title race.

And at Chelmsford, Hampshire are in control against Essex with both teams attempting to move away from the bottom of the table.

Division One

• Durham 249-5 v Sussex 361
• Essex 296 v Hampshire 293-4
• Nottinghamshire 487 v Yorkshire 154-3
• Warwickshire 158-1 v Somerset 498
• Worcestershire 214 & 69-4 v Surrey 291

Division Two

• Gloucestershire 187 & 62-1 v Derbyshire 398
• Lancashire 120-1 v Kent 374
• Leicestershire 389-3 v Glamorgan 353
• Northamptonshire 308-5 v Middlesex 413

Image source, Rex Features

Just as with golf, day three is traditionally 'moving day' where teams try to manoeuvre themselves into winning positions.

Well, defending champions Surrey will surely be confident of wrapping up a victory at Worcestershire today unless the home side can find some runs from somewhere.

Leaders Nottinghamshire are also in a strong position against Yorkshire.

In Division Two, the pacesetters are Leicestershire who will look to put some scoreboard pressure on Glamorgan and Derbyshire are in control against Gloucestershire.

There's a bit of bad weather about today so we'll keep our fingers crossed, off we go...