Postpublished at 11:42 British Summer Time 1 August 2020
Time for another "One to Watch" and someone who is currently trying to dig-in and mount a rearguard for his side after losing some early wickets...
Summary
First day of new four-day domestic competition set up after coronavirus pandemic delayed start of 2020 season
All 18 counties split into three regional groups of six for opening phase of new competition
Each side will play five group games, with best two teams overall progressing to a five-day final
Postpublished at 11:42 British Summer Time 1 August 2020
All happening off the pitch at The Oval!published at 11:41 British Summer Time 1 August 2020
Surrey v Middlesex 27-1
Aside from the cricket, there's plenty of construction work going on at The Oval and it seems plenty to catch the eye for our commentary team....
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End of twitter postget involved Get Involvedpublished at 11:39 British Summer Time 1 August 2020
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Bradley: Following Durham from home, I think we are dark horses for this tournament. Come on lads!
Chris S. Dixon: 'Great Scott, Holmes, there's a D. Moriarty making his first class debut for Surrey v Middlesex today!
Rain stops playpublished at 11:36 British Summer Time 1 August 2020
Durham 12-0 v Yorkshire
Image source, Rex FeaturesWe're 32 minutes into the new season and we have our first match off for rain.
It's drizzling at Chester-le-Street, where Alex Lees and Sean Dickson have got off to a slow and steady start with the bat.
Our commentator Martin Emmerson predicts that they won't be off for long (fingers crossed).
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End of twitter postOnes to watch: Essexpublished at 11:35 British Summer Time 1 August 2020
Sam Cook
Glenn Speller
BBC Essex
Image source, Getty ImagesMaybe the lesser known of the two Cooks in the all-conquering Essex side (he's nicknamed Little Chef), but Sam Cook is garnering a growing reputation.
He burst onto the scene towards the end of the 2017 title-winning season and the past two summers have seen him progress in leaps and bounds.
Along with Jamie Porter, he's part of an exciting young seam attack.
The absence of Peter Siddle will see Cook take on even more responsibility in this truncated season.
Postpublished at 11:35 British Summer Time 1 August 2020
And we'll kick off those commentator tips with someone who's already made an early impression on this first morning....
Commentators pick their "Ones to Watch"published at 11:31 British Summer Time 1 August 2020
Image source, Getty ImagesThroughout this opening day's play, we're going to be asking our intrepid team of BBC local radio commentators to share with us their "Ones to Watch" in this shortened season.
A few of the names may be familiar to you as they look to reignite their England ambitions, while others will be either new kids on the block or county stalwarts hoping to lead their side to a trophy.
Stay tuned as we take you through them all.
get involved Get Involvedpublished at 11:30 British Summer Time 1 August 2020
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Isaac: I much prefer this layout going forward - 3 regions allows for derbies, more exposure for weaker sides, potential for increase to 10 games home & away a season, maybe semi-finals followed by the 5 day final at Lord's.
Fenners: Teams in the South group have it very tough, so my tip is Yorks who should cruise through their group. Dark horses could be Derbyshire, strong batting line up & promising youngsters. This comp is great for up and coming players who wouldn't normally get a chance.
And a third wicket for Essex!published at 11:27 British Summer Time 1 August 2020
Essex v Kent 23-3
Image source, Rex FeaturesNo sooner had Essex taken a second wicket, they've now got a third.
Kent debutant Jack Leaning departs for a duck after a mistimed pull shot off Sam Cook into the hands of Essex debutant Feroze Khushi.
Kent already 23-3 after winning the toss and electing to bat!
Two early Kent scalps for County Champions Essexpublished at 11:23 British Summer Time 1 August 2020
Essex v Kent 23-2
Image source, Rex FeaturesEssex may well have lost the toss at Chelmsford earlier and been handed a day in the field but they've already dismissed both Kent openers.
A wicket apiece for seamers Sam Cook and Jamie Porter have accounted for Daniel Bell-Drummond leg before and then Jordan Cox caught down the legside by wicketkeeper Adam Wheater.
Who's batting and bowling first?published at 11:19 British Summer Time 1 August 2020
Image source, Rex FeaturesNorth group:
Emirates, Chester-le-Street: Durham 7-0 v Yorkshire - Durham won the toss and decided to bat
Trent Bridge: Derbyshire v Notinghamshire 8-0 - Derbyshire won the toss and decided to field
Worcester: Leicestershire v Lancashire 11-1 - Lancashire won the toss and decided to bat
Central group:
Bristol: Gloucestershire 13-0 v Worcestershire - Gloucestershire won the toss and decided to bat
Taunton: Somerset 8-0 v Glamorgan - Somerset won the toss and decided to bat
Edgbaston: Warwickshire v Northamptonshire 8-0 - Warwickshire won the toss and decided to field
South group:
Chelmsford: Essex v Kent 19-1 - Kent won the toss and decided to bat
Hove: Sussex 28-0 v Hampshire - Sussex won the toss and decided to bat
The Oval: Surrey v Middlesex 13-1 - Middlesex won the toss and decided to bat
WICKETpublished at 11:12 British Summer Time 1 August 2020
Jennings lbw Taylor 5 (Lancashire 5-1)
Closely followed by the departure of an opener with England experience...
Lancashire's Keaton Jennings is pinned lbw by Tom Taylor, who gets a wicket with his fourth ball of the season.
The Leicestershire wicketkeeper and slips appealed furiously and the umpire didn't hesitate in raising his finger.
WICKETpublished at 11:09 British Summer Time 1 August 2020
Robson c Smith b Clarke 7 (Middlesex 7-1)
First wicket of this county season comes at The Oval and goes Surrey's way!
Former England Test opener Sam Robson is the one to fall to a brilliant one-handed diving catch by wicketkeeper Jamie Smith off an outside edge from the bowling of Rikki Clarke.
And off we go!
Who's moved where?published at 11:05 British Summer Time 1 August 2020
There's been plenty of moves and departures around the county circuit since the end of last season, many of which you'll be forgiven for forgetting about with this delayed campaign.
Here's where you can refresh your memory in one handy county-by-county guide...
County ins and outs 2020
Details of all the county cricket signings and departures from the 2020 season.
Read MoreLet's play!published at 11:00 British Summer Time 1 August 2020
Image source, Rex FeaturesRight then - here we go for the long-awaited start of the county season.
We'll bring you up to date shortly with who's won the toss where and who's batting and bowling first...
A moment to rememberpublished at 10:59 British Summer Time 1 August 2020
Across the grounds teams are having a minute's silence to remember those affected by the coronavirus pandemic.
Players and officials will then take a knee to show their support for the Black Lives Matters movement.
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End of twitter postget involved Join in the debatepublished at 10:57 British Summer Time 1 August 2020
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As ever, we'd love you to join in the conversation throughout this Bob Willis Trophy.
Tweet using #bbccricket and we'll share as many as we can during play.
Who are your tips to win this competition?
Gillespie: "It's fantastic we're getting cricket back"published at 10:54 British Summer Time 1 August 2020
Sussex head coach Jason Gillespie is looking forward to the Bob Willis Trophy and the opportunity it gives all 18 counties to win a piece of silverware in the four-day game.
Hear his chat with BBC Radio Sussex's Adriam Harms as he talks up his side's chances.
Media caption, Sussex head coach Jason Gillespie speaks about the return of domestic cricket.
Sir Alastair returns to Essex colours after commentary stintpublished at 10:52 British Summer Time 1 August 2020
Essex v Kent (11:00 BST)
Sir Alastair Cook has been a busy man in recent weeks, lending his eyes, ears and voice to the BBC's coverage of the first two Test matches between England and West Indies.
Now England's leading Test run-scorer is back in action himself for Essex hoping to lead the county to another piece of silverware as he told BBC Essex's Glenn Speller...
Media caption, Former England captain looking forward to playing some Cricket for Essex
Like a kid on Christmas Eve...published at 10:50 British Summer Time 1 August 2020
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Fair to say Nottinghamshire opener Chris Nash was looking forward to playing again last night!
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