These Division Two matches are dropping like flies...perhaps the lunches are just really tasty at Derby, Grace Road and New Road.

Surrey have taken the new ball as they attempt to end this Somerset first innings before lunch.

Steven Davies is still going along nicely on 94 for the hosts.

Mark Wood's recurring heel injury ruled him out of the third and fourth Tests in the recent series against South Africa.

The paceman was also forced to have a third ankle operation in 12 months last October. He certainly is plagued by persistent injury problems.

Keep your suggestions coming in via #bbccricket.

Martin Emmerson
BBC Newcastle

Image source, BBC Sport

I don't think we are going to see any play at Grace Road today at all. Chucking it down and not likely to stop until late afternoon, if it does at all.

50 for Keith Barkerpublished at 12:01 British Summer Time 8 August 2017

12:01 BST 8 August 2017

Warwickshire 126 & 351-8 v Middlesex 161

Keith Barker brings up his half-century as he sends Steven Finn to boundary ropes for the seventh time in his innings.

It has been an important knock from the Warwickshire bowler who is taking the match away from Middlesex at Lord's currently.

With plenty of rain forecast for Wednesday, the visitors must be considering declaring soon with the lead now 316.

That 11:30 pitch inspection didn't go as we'd hoped at New Road, so the players will take an early lunch.

Some exciting youngsters in Harrish's picks.

Let us know which uncapped Test players you would take to the Ashes this winter via #bbccrcicket.

Keith Barker is dealing superbly well with the uneven bounce Steven Finn is producing early on this morning as he moves on to 40.

The hosts are struggling to break this ninth-wicket stand between Barker and Chris Wright, which has now stretched to 54.

With the pitch deteriorating, the Division One champions are facing a challenging a fourth-innings chase.

Third-placed Lancashire's hopes of victory over second-placed Hampshire are fading as the rain continues to fall on the south coast.

No play will be possible before lunch, with the next pitch inspection scheduled for 12:30.

The rain has stopped at Worcestershire, where the umpires are conducting a pitch inspection.

Sadly, the news coming out of Hampshire isn't so good...

Image source, rex

Following Keaton Jennings' struggles at the top of order for England, there has been plenty of speculation on whether the selectors will opt for a different option for the three-Test West Indies series, with an eye to the upcoming winter Ashes series.

Lancashire opener Haseeb Hameed impressed with the national side last November in India but has since struggled for form in red-ball cricket this season, scoring just 220 runs in his previous 13 innings.

However, on Monday his luck finally turned as the 20-year-old produced a gritty, determined, at times ugly display to end the day unbeaten on 77 and help put the visitors in a strong position at the Ageas Bowl.

Somerset are making good progress in the early stages of the second day against Surrey.

The 150 partnership is up between Tom Abell and Steven Davies, with Abell now just four runs shy of his century.

After England wrapped another four-day victory in the final Test against South Africa, there is some bonus County Championship commentary on BBC Radio 5 live sports extra today.

Coverage is coming from Lord's currently for the Division One match between Middlesex and Warwickshire.

You can listen to that match, as well as commentary from our six other games when they begin, by clicking on the tabs above.

Cameron Steel became the youngest Durham player to score a double-century as he notched up 224 against Leicestershire on Monday at Grace Road.

At 21 years and 329 days young, the batsman surpassed Gordon Muchall and put the visitors in total control against their fellow Division Two bottom-of-the-table stragglers.

"It is a pretty surreal feeling," Steel told BBC Radio Newcastle. "It hasn't really hit me yet.

"It's very special to have my mum and dad here over from Perth watching. I usually don't score any runs in front of them."

Image source, Rex Features

Somerset batsman Tom Abell has spent most of the season looking like a young man who had been weighed down by being handed the Championship captaincy.

After suffering a terrible run of form, in which the 23-year-old managed just a single half-century in 14 innings, Abell made a vital unbeaten 88 to drag the hosts back into the game at Taunton.

"It’s been getting to me big time," Abell admitted to BBC Radio Somerset. "I’ve been absolutely gutted at how I’ve gone this year, especially having been given the captaincy.

“It’s easy to dwell on the past. We have to try and look forward, we have plenty to do and we’re not in the best position in the table.

“One thing that’s really stuck with me for the past few weeks and months is the phenomenal backing of the players, coaches and the supporters as well. That’s made a huge difference to me.”

Today we are interested to know which current county player who is yet to pick up an international Test cap you would choose to play in the Ashes this winter.

It can be as unrealistic as you would like. For my money (Kalika), I would take Liam Livingstone, Mark Stoneman, Jack Leach or even Mason Crane.

You can tweet us your suggestions using #bbccricket.

Play gets started at the only two games where the weather is playing nicely.

We'll keep you up to date with any changes in the weather as soon as we hear anything.