Mike Taylor
BBC WM

It's brightened up in every sense for Essex, and another win for the leaders is in the offing.

The introduction of the two key bowlers yesterday, Neil Wagner and Simon Harmer, brought three wickets in four overs.

Wagner found Ian Bell's outside edge and James Foster held a diving catch; Andrew Umeed was caught neither forward nor back to Harmer and out lbw; and Sam Hain became the off-spinner's ninth wicket in the match when his forward defensive press squirted up to be caught, above his head, by Ryan ten Doeschate at short leg.

Warwickshire are still over 200 runs behind, the pitch is becoming more testing for batting, and the credits are starting to roll on this match. And the sun has come out.

Image source, Rex Features

Paul Evans: 1st Text XI: Cook, Stoneman, Jennings, Root, Ballance, Stokes, Bairstow, Ali, Ball, Wood, Anderson

Liam Berry: 1st test XI Cook, Stoneman, Westley, Root, Bairstow, Stokes, Foakes, Ali, Broad, Wood, Anderson

Thomas Harley: Samit Patel shouldn't be in the team if the selectors persist with "It's only Div 2 runs" which has prevented Westley getting a go

Worcestershire are going along rather nicely in pursuit of 399.

Daryl Mitchell has just struck a couple more boundaries off Mitch Claydon and is up to 35 - the hosts are 76-1 needing another 323.

Glamorgan nightwatchman Lukas Carey is frustrating Durham. He's on 28 alongside Colin Ingram and the visitors are handily placed on 129-3. The lead is 22.

The forecast suggests this rain won't stick around at Old Trafford.

But it's Manchester. Need I say more?

Foakes hits ton for Lionspublished at 11:54 British Summer Time 22 June 2017

11:54 BST 22 June 2017

England Lions 339-8 v South Africa A

Image source, Getty Images

Sealed with a four, Ben Foakes has his century for England Lions against South Africa A.

Could he be playing his way into England Test reckoning? The Surrey 'keeper's three scores before this - 86, 86 and 65 not out.

He's at the crease with Jack Leach after Tom Helm was dismissed a couple of overs ago for 20.

The players have nipped off at Canterbury with thunderstorms in the area.

How many former England captains does it take to carry four helmets?

Everyone is around the bat at Chelmsford, Warwickshire are in the mire.

Image source, Rex Features

Brett D'Oliveira's cameo has come to an end at the hands of Darren Stevens. The veteran bowled him for 27.

It brings Moeen Ali to the middle. Worcestershire will need him to go big today - they still need 342.

Rich Robinson: Cook Jennings Root Westley Bairstow Stokes Buttler Ali Crane Anderson Wood

Bill Ward: England XI 1st Test - Cook, Stoneman, Westley, Root, Ballance, Bairstow, Stokes, Ali, Wood, Broad, Anderson

Jamie Telkman: Cook, Jennings, Westley, Root, Bairstow, Stokes, Foakes (w), Moeen, Wood, Broad (or TRJ if Broad injured), Anderson.

Plenty of you are suggesting Tom Westley should get a call-up. The Essex batsman averages 53 for the league leaders this season with two centuries.

Hampshire's prayers have been answered. A shower has swept in at Old Trafford and the players are off.

Matty Potts has been some find for Durham this season.

The 18-year-old seamer picks up his third wicket of the innings, as Andrew Salter skies him to mid-wicket.

Potts has 3-18, Glamorgan's lead is just two.

Tom Burridge: Bairstow as a batter, and bring in Ben Foakes. Best gloveman in the country and the in form batsman.

Ali Mason: Cook, Jennings, Westley, Root, Ballance, Bairstow, Stokes, Ali, Wood, Anderson, Finn.

Tom Westley at three? Interesting shout. Incidentally Ben Foakes is 95 not out for the England Lions as we speak.

Worcestershire are going for this! Brett D'Oliveira has raced to 27 off 34 balls with five boundaries.

The Pears need another 354 in 90 overs, with Moeen Ali still to come.

I'll be keeping a close eye on proceedings at New Road.

Kevan James
Sport Presenter, BBC Radio Solent

It never felt like you were in Manchester over the past three days.

Bright sunlight, hot steamy days and muggy uncomfortable evenings.

Today is different, a few spots of rain early morning and heavy low cloud and temparatures have fallen some way.

Today feels like the way Hampshire played yesterday, it leaves you with a low mood.

Lancashire will win this one have no fear. We may have to wait a little longer for the inevitable if the light gets worse at various times.

George Davis: England XI 1st Test - Cook, Stoneman, Jennings, Root, Ballance, Stokes, Bairstow, Ali, Wood, Broad, Anderson

Angus McPhail: Cook, Stoneman, Root, Patel, Bairstow, Stokes, Moeen, Rashid, Wood, Anderson, Finn (unless Broad is fit)

A lot of love for Mark Stoneman so far. In the middle order there's a vote for Gary Ballance and one for Samit Patel after his back-to-back double centuries.

We want to know your England team for the first Test against South Africa. Let us know at #bbccricket.

If Warwickshire are to rescue anything from this game you feel skipper Ian Bell will have to bat for most of the day.

The omens are not good for Bears fans though - all three defeats this season have been by an innings.

Here's the task ahead of Worcestershire today. Tough.

Daryl Mitchell and Brett D'Oliveira are in the middle at an overcast New Road.

Image source, Getty Images