Summary

  • Ian Bell hits century for Warwickshire

  • Essex close in on win against Gloucs

  • Notts & England batsman James Taylor retires with heart condition

  1. Play called off at Wantage Roadpublished at 15:55 British Summer Time 12 April 2016

    Northants 481-7 v Sussex (no play Tuesday, wet outfield)

    We have our third complete washout on day three of the 2016 County Championship season.

    Northants v Sussex is off after an umpteenth inspection. 

  2. Day three scorespublished at 15:51 British Summer Time 12 April 2016

    Division One:

    Nottinghamshire 446 v Surrey 225 & 127-1

    Hampshire 202 v Warwickshire 155-5

    Durham 256 & 223-4 v Somerset 179 (no play Tuesday, rain)

    Division Two:

    Worcestershire v Kent (no play Tuesday, wet outfield)

    Northants 481-7 v Sussex (start delayed)

    Essex 385 v Gloucestershire 262 & 72-5

    Click here for full scorecards.

  3. 50 runs

    HALF-CENTURY FOR SANGAKKARApublished at 15:41 British Summer Time 12 April 2016

    Nottinghamshire 446 v Surrey 225 & 120-1

    Kumar Sangakkara brings up his 78th first-class fifty with a four off Brett Hutton.

    This guy makes batting look so, so simple - he's got there off 62 balls with nine boundaries.

    Surrey are slowly working their way back into the match at Trent Bridge after being asked to follow on - the deficit is now 101.

  4. rain stops play

    Rain stopped playpublished at 15:38 British Summer Time 12 April 2016

    Northants 481-7 v Sussex

    Thankfully there's an inspection in about five minutes time!

  5. Reaction to Taylor's retirementpublished at 15:30 British Summer Time 12 April 2016

    James Taylor forced to retire

  6. England player watch...published at 15:25 British Summer Time 12 April 2016

    Hampshire 202 v Warwickshire 140-5

    Warwickshire and England all-rounder Chris Woakes is currently batting with Ian Bell at the Ageas Bowl.

    Tim Ambrose was the latest man to go to James Tomlinson.

    The runs have also dried up for Bell in the last hour or so - he's 58 not out.

    James TomlinsonImage source, Rex Features
  7. Reaction to Taylor's retirementpublished at 15:22 British Summer Time 12 April 2016

    James Taylor forced to retire

    Not sure we've heard a bad word said about James Taylor today. Glowing tributes from across the board.

  8. Wantage Road inspection at 15:45published at 15:15 British Summer Time 12 April 2016

    Northants 481-7 v Sussex

    How many inspections is that now? Anyone been counting?

  9. get involved

    Get Involved at #bbccricketpublished at 15:12 British Summer Time 12 April 2016

    You're not losing hope at this stage of the season, surely?!

  10. Sangakkara laying a platformpublished at 15:05 British Summer Time 12 April 2016

    Nottinghamshire 446 v Surrey 225 & 77-1

    A certain Sri Lankan legend is beginning to find his feet in Surrey's second innings...

  11. 'Ian Bell holds the key'published at 15:03 British Summer Time 12 April 2016

    Hampshire 202 v Warwickshire 130-4

    BBC Radio Solent's Kevan James at the Ageas Bowl:

    "Ian Bell (52*) looks calm and assured as he strokes the ball with ease off both front and back foot. 

    "One particular back foot "push" through extra cover for four off Fidel Edwards was as sweet as you like.

    "The ball is 37 overs old now and this is the time (as we saw in the first innings) that batting will become easier. 

    "Warwickshire are currently trailing by 72 runs and if conditions ease, will look to get a decent lead by late morning tomorrow and give Hants a tricky two sessions to bat. Ian Bell holds the key."

  12. Reaction to Taylor's retirementpublished at 15:01 British Summer Time 12 April 2016

    James Taylor forced to retire

    Some kind words from former Somerset and England wicket-keeper Craig Kieswetter.

    Kieswetter also had to retire early, at the age of 27, in June 2015 because of vision problems.

  13. sun

    Sun is shiningpublished at 14:55 British Summer Time 12 April 2016

    Hampshire 202 v Warwickshire 130-4

    Ageas BowlImage source, Rex Features

    Ah, some glorious early spring sunshine at the Ageas Bowl. (Sorry fans of Worcestershire, Northants and Durham).

    Ian Bell is still ticking along on 52 not out.

  14. Gloucestershire in troublepublished at 14:51 British Summer Time 12 April 2016

    Essex 385 v Gloucestershire 262 & 25-4

    Gloucestershire have just lost their fourth wicket at Chelmsford.

    Jamie Porter bowls Hamish Marshall for his third wicket of the innings.

    The visitors need 98 more to make Essex bat again.

    BBC Radio Gloucestershire's Bob Hunt at Chelmsford:

    "And there goes Hamish Marshall, bowled by a Snorter from Porter.

    "Should I cancel my hotel this evening?"

  15. Listen livepublished at 14:44 British Summer Time 12 April 2016

    Every ball covered

    The BBC will have live radio commentary of every ball bowled in the 2016 County Championship season.

    You can select your match by clicking on the live coverage tab at the top of this page.

  16. get involved

    Get Involved at #bbccricketpublished at 14:41 British Summer Time 12 April 2016

    James Taylor forced to retire

    Keep your James Taylor memories and thoughts coming. Thanks to everyone who has Tweeted us so far.

  17. Play called off at Durhampublished at 14:38 British Summer Time 12 April 2016

    Durham 256 & 223-4 v Somerset 179

    Yep, it's too wet at Chester-le-Street. After an inspection about 10 minutes ago, the umpires have called it off for the day.

    Wednesday's forecast? Iffy to say the least.

  18. Wantage Road inspection at 15:00published at 14:31 British Summer Time 12 April 2016

    Northants 481-7 v Sussex

    As well as being 282 not out, and in sight of becoming the first Northamptonshire triple centurion for 10 years, it seems Ben Duckett is also a master of understatement...

  19. 50 runs

    IAN BELL HITS 50published at 14:28 British Summer Time 12 April 2016

    Hampshire 202 v Warwickshire 117-4

    Dropped by England over the winter, Ian Bell has stated he hasn't given up hope of winning back his place in the Test side.

    This certainly won't do the new Warwickshire captain any harm - he moves to his half-century off 68 balls.

    Ian BellImage source, Rex Features
  20. 'Disastrous start'published at 14:26 British Summer Time 12 April 2016

    Essex 385 v Gloucestershire 262 & 8-3

    BBC Radio Gloucestershire's Bob Hunt at Chelmsford:

    "Disastrous start for Gloucestershire. Jamie Porter two in two balls in the first over; Cameron Bancroft caught behind third ball, Ian Cockbain caught down the leg side the fourth.

    "And wait; Chris Dent out as well to Matt Dixon. They're 8-3!"