for Steven Croftpublished at 11:42 British Summer Time 18 August 2020

11:42 BST 18 August 2020

Nottinghamshire 472 v Lancashire 145-6

Image source, Rex Features

A risky stroke, perhaps, given the match situation, but Steven Croft connects cleanly with a reverse sweep off Matt Carter and a boundary takes him to a 103-ball fifty.

It's his third in four innings in the BWT, so he's the ideal man for Lancashire to have at the crease at the moment.

Still no joy for the Notts bowlers so far this morning.

We want to hear your thoughts on today's final games and the stories it springs up - tweet us using #bbccricket

One of those final-day stories is England's on-again-off-again man Joe Denly, who is striding towards a century for Kent against Middlesex, currently on 89.

Harryadby: This is why Joe Denly is in the England team, because he gets runs, and plenty of them. He gets boundaries, but can also play safe with singles, which is why he is a classy player.

Agreed - but at 34, his opportunities to make an impression for his country are fast running out.

Image source, Getty Images

The players were back on the field at Edgbaston - for all of four balls.

Henry Brookes nicked a quick single to advance the Bears' score by one - and then it started to rain again.

Somerset will be getting slightly peeved now.

Joe Denly is not the only batsman seeking a century this morning - Worcestershire's Tom Fell is even closer, unbeaten on 84 as the Pears bid to set a challenging winning target for Northants.

The visitors have made a cautious start at Wantage Road, where Northants had bowled 16 consecutive dot balls before Ed Barnard just pinched a single for the Pears. Fell back on strike, then.

Just four overs bowled so far and Hampshire have added 22 to their overnight score. Tom Alsop has 67 and Harry Came is on seven.

While describing events at Grace Road, we have had a wicket at Hove - and it's Sussex danger man Phil Salt, who has gone for 23.

He attempts a cover drive to a ball from Jamie Porter, the keeper claims a catch and the umpire says 'you're out'.

Salt clearly doesn't think he touched that as he stands immobile for several seconds before slowly heading off.

There's also been a wicket at Canterbury - but, don't fear Kent fans, it's not Joe Denly who is still there on 80.

No, it's Matt Milnes who falls for 16 and becomes Miguel Cummins' fourth victim of this first Kent innings.

An absolute stonking ball from the big West Indies man that threatens to leave the stumps at perpendicular angles.

Could we see a fairly quick Middlesex declaration if they can mop up the Kent tail before lunch? Denly is the key wicket, you feel.

Sam Evans walks up to the crease and sends down two totally unthreatening deliveries which Ben Raine clubs away for four - and they are soon followed by the Durham declaration.

The forfeit of an innings each is inevitable and Leicestershire will have 82 overs to try and score 292 for their second win in the BWT.

Raine finishes with 18 not out from 13 balls faced, with Ned Eckersley unbeaten on 22.

This could be a tough final day for Lancashire if they are not helped out by rain. They need to reach 273 to avoid the follow-on, but just as important for Dane Vilas and his team is to use up as much time as possible.

Steven Croft had advanced to 44 and Tom Hartley has eight. Zak Chappell and Matt Carter are doing the bowling at the present.

Rain stops playpublished at 11:16 British Summer Time 18 August 2020

11:16 BST 18 August 2020

Warks 121 & 115-6 v Somerset 413-9 dec

Here's a spanner in the works at Edgbaston then.

Less than 15 minutes of play and both teams are hauled off due to a downpour.

This will not please Somerset at all.

Hampshire have a batting point at Arundel where Tom Alsop has progressed to 57 not out. Partner Harry Came is on three.

It's difficult to foresee an outcome at Canterbury today but England batsman Joe Denly will be chasing a ton for Kent.

Resuming on 70 overnight, he hit the first ball of the day for four off Ethan Bamber and is swiftly on to 76 after a couple of singles to follow.

An interesting sidebar to Somerset's task of needing four wickets for victory at Edgbaston is that they may actually only need three...

Bears batsman Matt Lamb suffered a cracked big toe earlier in the game and it is uncertain whether he will be fit to bat - he has already dropped down the order, usually batting at five. Will he appear at all?

Warwickshire captain Will Rhodes thinks so.

"Matt Lamb wants to bat," Rhodes told BBC Radio WM. "We all know what Lamby's attitude is and I'm sure he'll try to strap the pads on and hobble out there if he can, but we'll have to see."

Image source, Getty Images

Right, it's going to be a prompt start everywhere except Headingley.

Don't forget that you can be part of this text commentary by tweeting us at #bbccricket. We love to hear from you.

As well as out BBC local radio commentaries, you can also listen to today's play via BBC 5 Live Sports Extra.

Well said, Niall.

Image source, Getty Images

Few number 10s make career-best scores two weeks running but Jamie Overton believes he is finding his groove with the bat after firing Somerset to the brink of victory over Warwickshire.

Overton followed up last week's 68 against Northants with a scintillating 120 at Edgbaston and also claimed a wicket with the ball to help leave Somerset needing just four more for an innings victory.

"I have found a method that is working for me at the moment and I am sticking with it," the 26-year-old said. "I'm riding my luck at times but I think you need a bit of luck now and then.

"The weather has not been great but hopefully we have still got 90 overs if the weather is clear so we have plenty of time to bowl them out. Whatever time we get we'll feel confident we can get the wickets."