for Vincepublished at 15:53 British Summer Time 8 April 2021

15:53 BST 8 April 2021

Leics v Hants 282-3

Image source, Rex Features

One of the most dominant knocks you will ever see in the County Championship has come on the opening day of the season!

Hampshire captain James Vince reaches his ton off just 81 balls. He's struck 17 fours and two sixes to put his side in total control.

It's a 26th first-class hundred for Vince and a reminder to the England selectors of his talent three years on from his last Test appearance.

Image source, PA Media

Tea time at Chelmsford where Essex have lost just the one wicket in that afternoon session.

Dan Lawrence was pinned leg before by Ed Barnard for 46, but skipper Tom Westley is unbeaten on 64 off 151 balls to keep anchoring this watchful first innings from the champions so far.

Kevin Hand
BBC Radio London at Lord's

Sam Robson has claimed the first century of the summer and dominated the Middlesex innings at Lord's.

The former Test opener offered two chances to the slips in the morning session on the way to fifty but hasn't looked back.

Somerset will know an opportunity was missed having put Middlesex in under cloudy skies and given the sheer weight of runs Robson has produced in this innings.

Although his form has been good entering the last two campaigns, this is the most imperious Robson has looked since pushing hard for a recall by England for the last Ashes tour.

Image source, Getty Images

Liam Norwell has had a handy first day of the season with the ball for Warwickshire.

He's now picked up 5-25 in Derbyshire's 162-7 at Edgbaston.

Matt Critchley was his fifth victim of the innings courtesy of a well-jedged catch from Tim Bresnan at first slip.

Image source, Rex Features

There's another rather extraordinary knock taking place at Leicestershire right now, courtesy of James Vince.

The Hampshire batsman has just launched Callum Parkinson for six to move to 85 off 70 balls.

Hants are 247-3 with Tom Alsop on 78.

Surrey continue to stumble along against Gloucestershire - they're 169-7 having just lost Jamie Smith for 20, bowled by Josh Shaw. The paceman has 3-31.

for Hainespublished at 15:31 British Summer Time 8 April 2021

15:31 BST 8 April 2021

Lancashire v Sussex 164-6

Image source, Getty Images

What an innings this is from 22-year-old Tom Haines.

On a day where his fellow batsmen have struggled at Old Trafford, the Sussex opener brings up his century with a 16th boundary.

Remarkable when you consider the rest of the team have contributed just 59 in Sussex's 164-6.

for Tom Westleypublished at 15:22 British Summer Time 8 April 2021

15:22 BST 8 April 2021

Essex 141-3 v Worcestershire

Image source, Rex Features

Half-century up for Essex skipper Tom Westley.

He nudges a single to long-on off Brett D'Oliveira to reach the landmark off 129 balls including eight fours.

I'd jump on the Sam Robson bandwagon right now.

A couple of dreamy cover drives for four off Craig Overton take the Middlesex opener to 120.

Andrew Stone: Time to get the 'recall Sam Robson' bandwagon going.

for Vincepublished at 15:13 British Summer Time 8 April 2021

15:13 BST 8 April 2021

Leics v Hampshire 201-3

Image source, Rex Features

A rapid half-century for James Vince at Grace Road.

The former England batsman gets to fifty off just 51 deliveries.

I say former... he's only 30 and this is a fine way to give the selectors a nudge.

Image source, Rex Features

Nottinghamshire have finally found a way to get Alex Lees out at Trent Bridge - with a run out.

He was attempting a second run but couldn't get back in time before Joe Clarke's throw reached the non-striker's end.

Lees departs for a 148-ball 58 as Durham now 146-4.

At Edgbaston, another marathon innings has ended with Derbyshire opener Luis Reece dismissed for 63 as Liam Norwell claims a third wicket of the day for Warwickshire.

The visitors now 146-5.

Anthony Gibson
BBC Somerset

Image source, Getty Images

Jack Leach is into the attack and has found some turn in his seven overs, but he's not been able to prevent Sam Robson from going on to a well-made century, even if he was the beneficiary of two dropped catches this morning. Middlesex on top.

Kent opener Jordan Cox has just this second got himself out at Northants, clipping Ben Sanderson to deep mid-wicket where Emilio Gay takes an excellent catch above his head. He's on his way for 62 and Kent are 127-4.

Image source, Getty Images

Lancashire continue to take Sussex wickets in Manchester but they still can't shift Tom Haines. The opener has 87 out of Sussex's 127-6 with George Garton the latest batsman to go.

Jordan Cox (62 not out) and Jack Leaning (34 not out) are approaching a century stand for Kent at Northants. The visitors are 127-3 having been 38-3.

Image source, Rex Features

While one Root brother continues to graft away at the crease, the other watches on in the field at Headingley.

Billy has been in the middle for 116 balls now for his unbeaten 36 as he tries to anchor this Glamorgan innings.

Callum Taylor has come out to join him in a bid to provide a bit of a rearguard on a gloomy Leeds afternoon.

Joe meanwhile has presumeably still got those hand-warmers working overtime in his pockets!

Some good news away from the county circuit...

Neil James-Petersen: Trending. Season has begun. Double jumpers, thermals and hand warmers lads.

It's going to get even colder on Saturday and Sunday by the looks of things. Has a frozen outfield ever delayed play before?!