There has been a toss in six of our eight games - here's the rundown on who's doing what:

Division One:

Hampshire v Middlesex - no toss, Middlesex will bow first

Nottinghamshire v Yorkshire - no toss, Yorkshire will bowl first

Somerset v Lancashire - Lancashire won toss and bat first

Surrey v Durham - Surrey won toss and bat first 

Division Two:

Kent v Glamorgan - Glamorgan won toss and bat first

Northamptonshire v Derbyshire - Northants won toss and bat first

Sussex v Leicestershire - Sussex won toss and bat first

Worcestershire v Essex - Essex won toss and bat first

Wonder how much Yaya Toure, Sergio Aguero and some of City's other overseas imports know about 'the summer game'...

Image source, Getty Images

It can't have been easy for Alex Hales over the past three weeks as potential rivals for his spot at the top of England's batting order have piled up big scores, although he insists he needed a rest.

Sam Robson, Adam Lyth, Mark Stoneman, Chris Dent, Daniel Bell-Drummond have all registered three-figure scores.

Finally, after an enforced rest following the World T20, Hales gets the chance to show what he's made of, with the start of England's Test series against Sri Lanka just 18 days away.

After four Test appearances he averages only 17 and may be running out of chances - so a repeat of his 232 against Yorkshire in last season's corresponding fixture would be timely indeed (and he won't have long to wait as Yorkshire have chosen to bowl first). 

Image source, Getty Images

"The best England batsman across all forms of cricket ever" - Nasser Hussain.

"He's the most complete batsman we've ever had" - Eoin Morgan 

"He's going to be one of the greats" - Sir Ian Botham

Who is the object of their adoration? Joe Root, of course.

His appearance for Yorkshire against Notts will be his first in the Championship in a White Rose cap since 2014. Two years ago, as acting captain, he lifted the Championship trophy at Trent Bridge when Yorkshire sealed their first title since 2001. 

Can he provide them with a spark after two draws so far this season?

Warwickshire head the Division One table by nine points despite having drawn their first three matches.

However, the Bears are the odd team out in the latest round of games, so Notts and Yorkshire, currently second and third, have the chance to replace them at the top of the table.

In Division Two, Essex have made a racing start with two wins and a draw, opening up a 21-point advantage in the process. After three years at the bottom, Leicestershire are in second place, but can the Foxes stay the distance and mount a promotion challenge?

If you want to check out the chances of a full day's play at out at the eight grounds, pay a visit to the BBC Weather site - but please don't get too blown away by the information and forget to come back.     

Last week we had snow, hail, sleet, frost, rain, strong winds and even an occasional glimpse of sunshine. The meteorological turmoil contributed to six of the seven games ending in draws - with Essex the only winners.

To avoid further disruption, I reckon the England and Wales Cricket Board should immediately take steps to appoint a new chairman - and that man should be...... King Arthur.

For was it not he who decreed "the winter is forbidden till December and exits March the second on the dot, by order summer lingers through September, in Camelot." 

OK, they are the words of lyricist Alan Jay Lerner, and I'm showing my age by repeating them here, but as far as the weather is concerned, enough is enough - it's May Day, let's get on with the cricket.

Image source, Getty

Hello and welcome to our live coverage page for the County Championship for both divisions one and two. You can follow text coverage across this page or click below to select your match of choice. 

Hampshire v Middlesex

Kent v Glamorgan

Northamptonshire v Derbyshire

Nottinghamshire v Yorkshire

Somerset v Lancashire

Surrey v Durham

Sussex v Leicestershire

Worcestershire v Essex