Image source, Rex Features

It's swinging around corners at Chelmsford. But one batsman you would want at the crease is Dawid Malan, fresh from his 78 for England on debut yesterday.

Malan is captain today with James Franklin not in the team.

BBC Sport app users may have to click 'view more' to see this Tweet.

Durham have made a poor start at Chester-le-Street, with England hopeful Keaton Jennings joining Cameron Steel and Jack Burham in the pavilion already against Worcestershire.

While that's bad news for Durham fans, it does mean the chance to watch Ben Stokes bat. The England all-rounder is at the crease alongside Graham Clark.

BSL 'Unofishal' Brunch and supper. That's an all-day brunch

Any other suggestions as to what the two intervals should be called? Get in touch using #bbccricket

Having missed out on a maiden County Championship title on the final day last season, Somerset have been suffering something of a hangover this campaign.

They're winless in their opening six games and already sit 36 points from safety.

Hampshire have got off to a decent start, winning three of their first seven games, and are off to a solid start at the Ageas Bowl. Jimmy Adams and Liam Dawson have moved to 21-0.

Dave Bracegirdle
BBC Radio Nottingham commentator

Nottinghamshire have picked up a bowing bonus point after just 5.2 overs of their match v Kent.

All three wickets have been taken by James Pattinson, getting them for 0 within the space of just eight balls.

Sam Northeast, like Dickson and Denly, went for nought, nicking to Steven Mullaney at second slip.

What a time to make your debut!

That's exactly what both 16-year-old Hamidullah Qadri and Conor McKerr are doing today, although in slightly different circumstances.

Seamer McKerr did so well out on loan at Derbyshire - taking 14 wickets in two County Championship games - that he has been recalled by Surrey and makes his debut for them against Yorkshire.

Off-spinner Qadri, meanwhile, benefits from his departure, coming in for Derbyshire against Glamorgan.

He's the youngest ever player to feature for Derbyshire in the County Championship, aged just 16 years, six months and 21 days!

Image source, Getty Images

Stephan Shemilt
BBC Sport at Edgbaston

There's some discussion over what the new intervals in these day-night matches should be called. In Australia, they were tea and dinner, but the Edgbaston scorecard only has them as 'Interval One' and 'Interval Two'.

Haseeb Hameed, in desperate need of some runs, is digging in so far. The 20-year-old has five off 23 balls.

Mark Stoneman is up and running for Surrey, striking four boundaries in his 17.

Jason Roy is back for the visitors - he's likely to come in at six.

England Test captain Joe Root and wicketkeeper Jonny Bairstow play just their second game for Yorkshire this season.

This should be an absolute cracker.

As expected, there's some swing out there with the pink ball, although four of the five Division Two teams decided to bat first.

James Pattinson, who is surely the most dangerous bowler in the division, has struck twice for Nottinghamshire, removing Kent's Sean Dickson and Joe Denly. They're 6-2 after four overs.

Derbyshire are toiling. They are 1-1 after four overs, with Luis Reece already back in the pavilion courtesy of Glamorgan's Timm van der Gugten.

Northants have lost Rob Newton, but have got off to a flier at 24-1 against Leicestershire.

Durham openers Cameron Steel and Keaton Jennings are still there against Worcestershire, with the score 10-0.

Finally, Sussex have survived the opening exchanges against Gloucestershire, with young openers Delray Rawlins and Harry Finch unbeaten at 10-0.

BBC Sport app users may need to click the link to view this tweet.

Sam Wheeler: Mohammad Amir traps *insert county batsman here* in front of all 3.Prepare to copy and paste that for the rest of the season.

Jeff: Take some time to get right but brilliant having day night cricket. Wanted to go last week but finished before I finished work.

After a few gremlins in the system, the Essex v Middlesex commentary should be working now.

Apologies for the delay.

Early reports from our commentators at the grounds suggest the pink ball is swinging!

Pakistan fast bowler Mohammad Amir has the new ball for Essex on his debut - he'll enjoy himself I'm sure.

Warwickshire opening batsman Ian Westwood announced his retirement from cricket today.

He retired with immediate effect after a 15-year career. It seems his decision didn't come in time for the scorecard publishers though.

Meanwhile, Haseeb Hameed, in desperate need of some runs, and Alex Davies are opening for Lancashire.

BBC Sport app users may need to click the link to view this tweet.

Image source, Rex Features

Here we go then. The players are out, pink balls at the ready, what will the first hour bring?

Every side except for Worcestershire chose to bat first after winning the toss - so maybe an afternoon for the batsmen?

The BBC local radio teams are ready and awaiting at all nine grounds where they will provide ball-by-ball commentary over the next four days.

To tune in, click on the tabs at the top of this page.

Let me know your thoughts throughout the afternoon and evening.

Are you in favour of day-night cricket in the County Championship?

Get in touch using #bbccricket on Twitter.

Image source, Getty Images

Dave Bracegirdle
BBC Radio Nottingham commentator

Past encounters with the pink ball will probably county for very little at Trent Bridge, where unbeaten Division Two leaders Nottinghamshire host Kent.

Both counties have a previous experience to look back on, when it comes to playing with the pink ball but neither side is likely to look back fondly.

Notts were hammered inside three days in 2011 when they faced MCC in the champion county game in Abu Dhabi.

Kent were equally unsuccessful when they took part in a late-season trial game at Canterbury.

The here and now is more important, with Kent looking to make up ground after losing at Worcester last week, a defeat that saw them slip to third.

The hosts will be hoping to ruthlessly steam-roller another opponent aside after winning three home fixtures by an innings but they will have to do it without Stuart Broad, who is resting a troublesome heel. Michael Lumb also gets the week off to prepare for Saturday’s one-day cup final, with Alex Hales and Harry Gurney returning.

Kent had the luxury of having two overseas players at their disposal, having brought both Adam Milne and Yasir Shah to Nottingham but have given the Kiwi pace ace his debut, despite Shah getting five wickets at New Road.