Day three of 2021 County Championship season
Clubs mark passing of Prince Philip
Counties split into three groups of six
Champions Essex hosting Worcestershire in Group 1
England captain Joe Root in action for Yorkshire against Glamorgan
Ball-by-ball local radio commentary on all nine games
Worcestershire (238-6) trail Essex (490-9 dec) by 252 runs
Image source, Rex FeaturesA superb century for Worcestershire opener Jake Libby.
He's hardly given Essex a sniff of a chance in this innings and he reaches three figures with a well-judged couple of runs into the legside off Simon Harmer.
It's come in 261 balls and included seven fours right on the stroke of tea.
Worcestershire (231-6) trail Essex (490-9 dec) by 259 runs
Half-century for Worcestershire all-rounder Ed Barnard now.
A tickle into the legside off Simon Harmer takes him there as he reaches his landmark off 90 balls and it's included nine fours.
Tea just around the corner as the Pears continue to frustrate the champions.
Middlesex v Somerset 112-3 (target 285) - bad light stopped play
Anthony Gibson
BBC Somerset
Bad light and an early tea at Lord's, where Somerset's captain, Tom Abell, has been leading by example, after the early loss of Tom Lammonby.
Somerset's third Tom, Banton, also batted nicely before being given out lbw to a ball that seemed more likely to miss leg stump than to hit it, a fate that was similarly to befall James Hildreth.
Middlesex still favourites but Somerset making a good fight of it.
Group 1 update
Still an intriguingly-poised match at Trent Bridge between Nottinghamshire and Durham.
Steven Mullaney makes a timely breakthrough for the hosts with the wicket of Jack Burnham to separate a fourth-wicket partnership worth 56.
Durham now 78-4 with David Bedingham unbeaten on 54 and their lead is worth 141.
Still off the ground due to rain at Edgbaston in the other match in this group between Warwickshire and Derbyshire.
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Worcestershire (223-6) trail Essex (490-9 dec) by 267 runs
Worcestershire's seventh-wicket partnership continues to grow as Jake Libby (91 not out) and Ed Barnard (44 not out) battle on.
It's worth 78 now and Libby is nine runs shy of what would be a very well-deserved century.
Northants 222-4 v Kent 455
Back under way in Northamptonshire after a brief rain delay.
Ricardo Vasconcelos resumes on 124.
Glamorgan (330 & 161-4) lead Yorkshire (193) by 298 runs
Sadly no more cricket for today in Leeds after that lunchtime sleet shower.
Yorkshire and Glamorgan will return tomorrow all being well with the visitors in the driving seat.
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Group 2 update
Surrey and England wicketkeeper Ben Foakes brings up his half-century with his side on 153-4 against Gloucestershire. But they're still in a sticky situation, leading by just 47.
Hampshire are chipping away at Leicestershire after asking them to follow on. The Foxes are 100-3, still trailing by 310. Harry Dearden is unbeaten on 58.
Group 1 update
Play still suspended at Edgbaston where they decided to take tea a touch early at 15:30 BST.
Derbyshire 71-5 still in their second innings against Warwickshire, which is a lead of just 38.
At Trent Bridge, Durham are gradually building a decent lead with David Bedingham and Jack Burnham steadying the ship somewhat for their fourth wicket.
Durham now 68-3 with a lead of 131.
Middlesex v Somerset 112-3 (target 285)
It's got really gloomy at Lord's and they're coming off.
That'll be tea with Somerset still needed 173. The game is nicely in the balance.
Middlesex v Somerset 109-3 (target 285)
Lovely timing from Tom Abell.
The Somerset captain simply leans on a straight ball from Tim Murtagh and strokes it past him to the fence.
It's his eighth four as he goes onto 59.
Burns c Payne b Scott 74 (Glos 326 v Surrey 220 & 145-4)
Surrey captain Rory Burns gets a top edge off George Scott and is on his way for 74.
No century for the England opener today.
Ben Foakes is on 49 at the other end with Surrey leading by just 39.
Good news from Leeds to bring you where there may still be more cricket later today....
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Worcestershire (196-6) trail Essex (490-9 dec) by 294 runs
Worcestershire continuing to build useful partnerships as they keep Essex at bay.
Jake Libby (81 not out) and Ed Barnard (27 not out) have now added 51 for this seventh wicket as they also move towards a first batting bonus point.
Hildreth lbw b Roland-Jones 11 (Somerset 101-3, target 285)
Big wicket for Middlesex.
James Hildreth is out lbw to Toby Roland-Jones as he plays around a straight one.
The hosts now with the advantage at Lord's you feel.
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Northants 222-4 v Kent 455
The rain is back at Northamptonshire and off they go. Ricardo Vasconcelos is unbeaten on 124 and batting beautifully.
Middlesex v Somerset 96-2 (target 285)
Somerset captain Tom Abell is leading from the front in this difficult chase.
He brings up his half-century off just 69 balls as he guides Toby Roland-Jones down to the third-man boundary with soft hands.
189 more needed for victory. Middlesex require eight wickets.
Derbyshire (189 & 71-5) lead Warwickshire (221) by 39 runs
It is now in fact raining in Birmingham.
Action paused indefinitely between Warwickshire and Derbyshire.
Group 3 update
Lancashire's Dane Vilas is the last man out as he's caught reverse sweeping, just short of his double century.
Lancashire are all out for 407, a really decent lead of 106 over Sussex.