Mike Taylor
BBC WM

The players are emerging from the pavilion on time here in Chelmsford, but the weather is suddenly closing in. There have been a few drops of rain over the last hour, but in the last 15 minutes it has clouded over markedly, the breeze has picked up, and the floodlights have been switched on.

Any overs lost today will of course help Warwickshire, and they'll be glad of any help, particularly after the serious blow of losing Jonathan Trott at the very last moment yesterday, when he padded up to the final ball from Simon Harmer. Ian Bell has come out to bat with Andrew Umeed this morning, with Warwickshire needing 231 more runs to make Essex bat again.

Ben: We need to discuss the potential XI for the first Test vs SA because it's looking messy without Broad and Woakes out and some top order spots seem open with Jennings and Hameed not nailing down their spots with their form.

OK, Ben. Let's do just that.

If we take Alastair Cook, Joe Root, Ben Stokes, Jonny Bairstow, Moeen Ali and James Anderson as the certainties, who fills the other gaps?

I make that an opener, number three, number five and two bowlers needed. Fire away.

Image source, Getty Images

Once again, England Lions are in action today in their four-day match against South Africa A at Canterbury.

England reached 302-7 last night with Ben Foakes still at the crease on 77 not out.

The Surrey wicketkeeper will be eyeing a century today before the Lions have a bowl. We'll keep you posted.

As ever, there will be ball-by-ball local radio commentary from today's four matches.

Click on the tabs at the top of this page to tune in.

Division One

• Middlesex 446 v Yorkshire 208 & 174 - Middlesex win by an innings and 64 runs
• Lancashire 593 v Hampshire 395 & 50-5 - Hants trail by 148
• Essex 541-9 dec v Warwickshire 283 & 27-2 - Warwickshire trail by 231

Division Two

• Notts548-9 dec v Leicestershire 134 & 134 - Notts win by an innings and 280 runs
• Worcestershire 336 & 16-0 v Kent 260 & 474 - Worcestershire need 382 more to win
• Durham 402 v Glamorgan 295 & 92-2 - Glamorgan trail by 15

Click here to view full scorecards

In the other Division One match left, Hampshire are facing a big defeat against Lancashire.

They resume on 50-5, still needing another 148 to avoid an innings loss - and it's pretty gloomy at Old Trafford.

In Division Two, Worcestershire face a mammoth chase of 399 against Kent, the Pears start on 16-0 at New Road.

And at Chester-le-Street, Durham will be searching for quick wickets against Glamorgan for a first Championship win of the season.

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The only spanner in the works for Ryan ten Doeschate's side could be the good old British weather.

There are a few showers around Chelmsford, but the forecast is promising for the rest of the day.

Image source, Rex Features

There were plenty of smiles on the faces of the Essex players this morning - and why not?

Top of the Division One table, closing in on victory against Warwickshire and a real team unity.

Today's task - another eight Warwickshire wickets and maybe a small run chase.

Three other games are also set for thrilling conclusions, and we'll have all the action right here.