Image source, Rex Features

He doesn't look overly pleased having just scored his maiden first-class century.

Maybe it's more a face of relief from the 22-year-old.

I'm sure we'll see plenty more in the coming years - he's some talent.

Gloucestershire will need a mammoth 396 runs if they want to take a win back to the west country with them from Canterbury.  

Mitch Claydon is the last man out, leaving James Tredwell stranded on 47 after a good knock. 

There's a lot of love going on for Lancashire opener Alex Davies on Twitter from one current and one former team-mate right now...

The pressure was on for Warwickshire this morning after Will Portfield and Alex Mellor departed early. 

Jonathan Trott and Ian Bell have experienced many such predicaments and they've combined well at The Oval in the last 28 overs, leading their side out of trouble in the face of some good bowling. 

Trott, who began very circumspectly indeed, now has 37, while Bell is leading the way on 63. Warwickshire are still, however, 224 runs behind following on. 

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Adam Whitty
BBC Radio Kent

Kent lost three wickets within the first half an hour in the morning session.

They've outdone themselves after returning from lunch though, losing two wickets within the first three balls of the session.

Jack Taylor got the wickets, bowling Will Gidman for 51, then two balls later getting Matt Coles out LBW.

That's three two-ball ducks in this Kent innings.

Fortunately for the home side, they still have a sizable lead of 373.

Scott Read
BBC Radio Manchester Sport

After an injury plagued 2016 this maiden first-class century for Alex Davies will feel even sweeter, the perfect tonic as he looks to put those days behind him heading into new season.

A knee injury for the Blackburn-born wicketkeeper kept him out of the team for almost the entire second half of last year, surgery followed and then a winter fighting back to full fitness.

His innings has built the perfect platform for Lancashire to build a match-winning lead.

Image source, Rex Features

Alex Davies hits maiden centurypublished at 13:50 British Summer Time 9 April 2017

13:50 BST 9 April 2017

Essex 159 v Lancashire 319 & 221-2

Well batted, Alex Davies. The 22-year-old - whose previous best was 99 - has overcome the nerves to reach three figures for the first time in 35 first-class matches. 

Lancashire have high hopes for the young wicketkeeper - shown by the fact he is keeping wicket ahead of former South African international Dane Vilas - and he's repaid their faith with the bat. 

His 101 comes from 214 balls and contained 17 fours. Lancashire's lead is now 381. 

Conditions don't get much better for batting.

Ian Bell and Jonathan Trott will need to use all their experience against Surrey's fine bowling attack though.

The deficit is still 246.

They're back out at Headingley and it is Ben Coad to open the bowling for the hosts. 

The 23-year-old seamer took 6-37 in the first-innings, dismissing Hampshire's top six batsman. How Yorkshire would love another spell of magic from him now. 

Ladies and gentleman, we have our first 'dog at cricket ground' picture of the summer.

Meet Pandora...

Thanks Gary. I have no need for tanning - a 20-minute wander into work in barmy conditions this morning saw to that. 

So, I'm all set for the afternoon session. Will it resemble yesterday's frequent wicket mayhem, or continue along in a similar vein to this morning with the batsmen on top? 

Felix Keith, who hails from Hampshire, but will remain completely impartial throughout this afternoon session (probably) will take you through until 4pm.

I'm off to top up my tan.

Adam Whitty
BBC Radio Kent

After Kent's horror half hour at the start of the day, in which they lost three wickets to Liam Norwell's bowling, the hosts have recovered well.

Will Gidman has reached his half century, and has played patiently for it. His partner, James Tredwell (21) has demonstrated an impressive defensive technique too.

Their eighth-wicket partnership, while not yet match-winning, is certainly match-affecting, and has taken the game away from visitors Gloucestershire.

Their lead of 343 will be tricky to catch on a moving wicket - and Kent still have three wickets left if they need them. 

Mark Church
BBC Radio London commentator

A 76-run partnership between Jonathan Trott and Ian Bell will have settled the Warwickshire dressing room. 

Bell, who looks utterly determined to put his stamp on the game is 50 not out and Trott is unbeaten on 24.

The stand was needed after Sam Curran and Jade Dernbach reduced the visitors to 37-2. Remember that Warwickshire are following on after being dismissed for 91 yesterday.

Dave Callaghan
BBC West Yorkshire Sport

Hampshire are right back in the match at Headingley. At lunch they are 103-1- needing 217 to win the game. 

Yorkshire will be kicking themselves for dropping openers Jimmy Adams and Michael Carberry early in the day. The potential catches to Adam Lyth and Jack Leaning were straightforward enough. 

The opening pair cashed in for a time and their partnership had nearly reached three figures when Carberry skied a Ben Coad delivery to long-leg and Steven Patterson accepted the chance.

Adams is still there 54 with James Vince on six. A good contest and at the moment, Hampshire slight favourites.

Image source, Getty Images

• Notts bowl out Leicestershire for 81 as they win by 10 wickets
• Jimmy Adams and Michael Carberry put on 91 as Hants make fine start in pursuit of 320
• Ian Bell and Jonathan Trott rebuild for Bears after two early wickets fall
• Lancashire opener Alex Davies goes to lunch on 97 in search of maiden century
• Gloucestershire look set for huge chase against Kent at Canterbury

Division One

Yorkshire 273 & 187 v Hampshire 141 & 103-1 - Hampshire need 217 more to win

Surrey 454 v Warwickshire 91 & 113-2 - Warwickshire trail by 250 runs   

Essex 159 v Lancashire 319 & 212-2 - Lancashire lead by 372 runs

Division Two

Leicestershire 251 & 81 v Notts 329 & 9-0 - Notts win by 10 wickets

Kent 298 & 194-7 v Gloucestershire 149 - Kent lead by 343 runs

Click here  for the full scorecards. 

Bell hits a half-centurypublished at 13:05 British Summer Time 9 April 2017

13:05 BST 9 April 2017

Surrey 454 v Warwickshire 91 & 113-2 - Lunch

If Warwickshire ever needed a captain's knock, it was today. And Ian Bell is doing just that.

The 34-year-old brings up his 97th first-class fifty on the stroke of lunch off 71 balls.

Bell and Jonathan Trott have put on 76 for the third wicket, but all the hard work is still ahead of them.

For the record, that's Bell's first half-century in first-class cricket since 3 July last year when he made 66, also against Surrey at Guildford. 

The Bears won that game by 10 wickets - I think they'll take a draw this time around!

Image source, Rex Features

Another session dominated by Lancashire has seen them bat Essex out of the game.

Alex Davies finishes the morning on 97, just three short of his maiden first-class century.

Lancashire's lead is 372, the weather is set fair, and a declaration is probably on the cards some time this afternoon.