News from Taunton.

The delay isn't going to be too long and play will start at 11:00 BST.

There will be 96 overs in the day with lunch at 13:00 BST.

Shaun Marsh is no doubt hoping for a place in Australia's team for the winter Ashes series. Today, though, could be a momentous one for him at the Oval as he looks to complete a maiden Championship century for Yorkshire in his final game for the county before West Indies opener Kraigg Brathwaite replaces him.

Gareth Batty starts the morning with a maiden to Alex Lees before Marsh, 77 not out overnight, opens his account for the day with a single off left-arm spinner Freddie van den Bergh.

Image source, Getty Images

There are no such problems so far at Edgbaston.

The Essex players and making their way out to the middle. This could be a very special day for those players.

Coach Chris Silverwood has been playing down the occasion. "We have to stick to process and let the game take its course," he has just told Sky Sports.

Jamie Porter to start with the ball to Dominic Sibley. Here we go...

This is not what we want to hear.

There is going to be a delayed start at Taunton due to a wet outfield. As of yet the umpires have not given word of a start time.

The sun is peaking out at the moment but the covers are still over the pitch.

The week started with a host of bonus point related permutations but now the situation is simple...

If leaders Essex win against Warwickshire and second-placed Lancashire lose at Somerset Essex will be crowned champions.

Warwickshire are looking pretty much doomed and if they lose, and Yorkshire and Middlesex get five points, their relegation from Division One will be confirmed.

Also, with Somerset looking good for victory, and a draw looking likely for Middlesex, the reigning champions could be in the relegation places by the end of these matches.

Kumar Sangakkara gave us all another reminder of what we'll miss when he retires at the end of this month by hitting 164 for Surrey on the second day against Yorkshire at The Oval.

Read about his seventh ton of the summer below...

Image source, Getty Images

Promotion-chasing Worcestershire have certainly not had things all their own way over the first two days against winless Leicestershire at New Road.

Brett D'Oliveira ended day two on 121 not out, but they still trail by 134 and will have their work cut out to win the game - which, potentially, is good news for rivals, Northants, Sussex and Kent.

"The new ball skidded onto the bat nicely and the field was up as well so I could cash in on the bad balls. I don't think they quote bowled how they would have liked and it was hitting the middle of the bat," D'Oliveira told BBC Hereford & Worcester.

We have, as usual, ball-by-ball coverage of today's play from the BBC 5 live sports extra and BBC local radio teams. Choose a game from the links at the top of the page to tune in. We'll keep you up to date with all the comings and goings in the other matches.

Should Somerset force a win against Lancashire, the possibility of last season's champions Middlesex being relegated will increase - and the conditions at Uxbridge this morning certainly won't give Middlesex supporters much comfort.

Jack Leach claimed 5-75 as Somerset gave their survival hopes a huge boost while seriously denting Lancashire's title ambitions on an eventful second day at Taunton.

But Lancashire coach Glen Chapple still hasn't given up on winning this match and keeping their Championship hopes alive.

"The lads have been speaking about the chance to turn game around," Chapple said.

"We have got enough good performances under our belt to be confident of giving it a good effort. You never know. The pitch will get worse and if we can put them under pressure you never know what can happen second dig."

Essex picked up four batting bonus points and a handy lead of 168 runs on the second day against struggling Warwickshire.

With Lancashire struggling at Taunton a win for Essex may well see them claim a first title today.

"It was a good, solid day for us following on from day one, so with things looking okay for us down in Taunton it could be an exciting day tomorrow," said Varun Chopra after day two, having top scored for Essex with 98.

Read how the county could end a 25-year wait for a County Championship title as soon as today...

Looking the graphic below, any Championship game that avoids interruption today will be very fortunate, but for more localised information, visit the BBC Weather website and use the 'Find A Forecast' box.

Match positions after two days:

Division One

Middlesex 71-3 v Hampshire

Somerset 335 v Lancashire 133 & 28-0 (f/o)

Lancashire trail by 174 runs

Surrey 592 v Yorkshire 171-1

Yorkshire trail by 421 runs

Warwickshire 201 & 7-0 v Essex 369-9 dec

Essex lead by 161 runs

Division Two

Glamorgan 207 & 63-1 v Northamptonshire 310

Glamorgan trail by 40 runs

Gloucestershire 385 v Kent 60-2

Kent trail by 325 runs

Derbyshire 338 & 31-1 v Sussex 271

Derbyshire lead by 98 runs

Leicestershire 404 v Worcestershire 270-4

Worcestershire trail by 134 runs

This is what Essex winning the County Championship looks like.

Image source, Rex

That was then captain Keith Fletcher toasting a soggy crowd at Chelmsford in 1983 after Essex clinched the second of their six titles.

And it looks inevitable that the county will be celebrating again at some point over the next two days unless the weather intervenes in their game against Warwickshire, or Lancashire pull off an improbable victory over Somerset.

Could Essex get the job done today? Stay with us for full coverage of the third day's play in eight Championship matches to find out.