Image source, Rex Features

Spare a thought for Worcestershire, who are certainly finding out the hard way the difference between playing in Division One and Division Two.

Promoted last summer, they have lost all three top-flight games so far, with 211 the highest total they have managed.

And to underline that it is with the bat where their main problem lies, Joe Clarke, Daryl Mitchell, George Rhodes and Brett D'Oliveira are currently averaging 14.67, 10.83, 3.67 and 2.17 respectively. As a result, the latter three all turned out for the second XI earlier this week.

“We know there are some really top sides to play against and that Division One sides are more experienced and there is strength in depth," said head coach Kevin Sharp, after last week's loss against Notts.

“It’s been a challenging three weeks. We’ve not been at our best, we know that. We’ve had a good chat about where we can improve. We have to get better.”

Image source, Getty Images

It's been a mixed bag for Yorkshire at the start of the season.

After the wash-out of their opening game against Essex at Headingley, they then breezed to victory over Notts before being bowled out for 96 on their way to defeat by Somerset last week.

Their top-order batsmen are all averaging under 30, so it's perfect timing for the cavalry to arrive in the shape of England skipper Joe Root and national team sidekick Jonny Bairstow, who are looking for runs in the re-match against Essex at Chelmsford to set them up for the forthcoming Tests against Pakistan.

"It's always an absolute pleasure to come back and play. It's always nice to come back and rekindle all those memories you have as a young lad playing and making your way through," Root told BBC Tees.

"I feel like when I come back in the dressing room I fit straight back in, the lads always welcome me really well and it's a great team to be involved with."

Division One

Essex v Yorkshire

Yorkshire won toss and will bat

Lancashire v Somerset

Somerset won the toss and will bat

Nottinghamshire v Hampshire

Nottinghamshire won the toss and will bat

Surrey v Worcestershire

Surrey won the toss and will bat

Division Two

Durham v Leicestershire

Durham won the toss and will bowl

Glamorgan v Kent

No toss, Kent will bowl

Sussex v Middlesex

Middlesex won the toss and will bat

Derbyshire 318 v Warwickshire 32-1 (day two)

Come on, weather gods, play ball - because we'd very much like to do so.

After last week's downpours which affected several Championship games, what does the sky have in store over the next few days?

To find out, have a look at Alina Jenkins' video forecast below - and for more localised information, visit the BBC Weather website and use the search box to look up the town/city where the match you are interested in is being played.

It only seems like two minutes ago that the new County Championship was getting under way, but we've already reached week four of the campaign.

In the opening week of the season, the players of Essex and Yorkshire spent four days watching the Headingley groundstaff toil in vain to dry out parts of the outfield in an effort to allow some play to take place.

Today, though, the same two teams will meet at Chelmsford, one of four games in Division One this week, and the prospects look much better.

There will be a gaggle of England players in action to add some sweet icing to the Championship cake, so welcome to our coverage of the opening day's play. The action starts at 11:00 BST.

Image source, Rex Features