Summary

  • Eight fixtures in Round Five of the season

  • Essex, Hants & Sussex all bowled out before tea

  • Durham & Derbyshire only two counties not playing in this round

  • James Anderson plays first game of season for Lancashire

  1. Gloucestershire the Group 2 pace-setterspublished at 11:05 British Summer Time 6 May 2021

    group 2Image source, BBC Sport

    Gloucestershire head to Lord's to take on Middlesex on the back of an unbeaten run and an impressive win against Leicestershire last round.

    They have a 14-point lead over Somerset who take on third-placed Hampshire.

    Surrey will hope to back up their emphatic first win of the season against Hampshire when they travel to winless and bottom of the group Leicestershire.

  2. A close-run thing in Group 1published at 11:05 British Summer Time 6 May 2021

    Group 1Image source, BBC Sport

    Not much to separate these six sides so far with just 14 points between them.

    Warwichshire have a slender lead but were well beaten by second-placed Durham last time out. Their chance to return to form comes against so-far unbeaten, but still winless Worcestershire.

    County Champions Essex have some work to do after just one win so far from four and they travel to a Nottinghamshire side who finally ended their three-year wait for a win in the format last week.

  3. Early wicket for Yorkshirepublished at 11:04 British Summer Time 6 May 2021

    Yorkshire v Kent 4-1

    Yorkshire paceman Ben Coad has made a breakthrough in the first over at Headingley.

    Kent skipper Daniel Bell-Drummond has edged him to slip and is on his way for four.

    Bad start for Group Three's bottom side.

  4. Postpublished at 11:03 British Summer Time 6 May 2021

    While games get into their rhythm, let's show you how things stand in the three groups at the start of this round....

  5. rain stops play

    Rain stops play at Trent Bridgepublished at 11:02 British Summer Time 6 May 2021

    Nottinghamshire v Essex - Notts won toss and elected to bowl

    I spoke too soon!

    Umpires and players were on their way out to the middle at Trent Bridge and then a rain shower blew in before the bails could rest on the stumps.

    Hover cover is on and the players are off for the time being.

  6. Let's playpublished at 11:00 British Summer Time 6 May 2021

    All set to get started in all our games except at Northampton where the weather looks like it's improving.

    Eyes down and we're off!

  7. get involved

    Get Involvedpublished at 10:57 British Summer Time 6 May 2021

    Tweet using #bbccricket

    As ever, feel free to have your say on the action over the next four days by using #bbccricket

    Who has been a surprise package so far this season in your opinion? Also, who needs to up their game or stake a claim for England selection?

  8. Jimmy returns for Lancashirepublished at 10:54 British Summer Time 6 May 2021

    Lancashire v Glamorgan (11:00 BST) - Glamorgan won toss and bat first

    Looks like we're set for some James Anderson bowling from the James Anderson End today.

    England's leading Test wicket-taker is poised to make his first County Championship appearance of the season as Lancashire host Glamorgan.

    There's a full match preview below from our colleagues at BBC Sport Wales and the visitors have won the toss and will bat first.

    Lancashire name Anderson against Glamorgan

    James Anderson is named in Lancashire's 13-man squad to face Glamorgan, who are set to give Australian Michael Neser his debut.

    Read More
  9. Ball-by-ball of every matchpublished at 10:52 British Summer Time 6 May 2021

    BBC local radio

    As ever, we've got every ball or every match in this round covered for you by our colleagues from BBC local radio.

    You can find the match of your choice by searching through the live coverage options at the top of this page.

    BBC Radio 5 Live Sports Extra also has commentary throughout the day from Edgbaston of Warwickshire v Worcestershire on DAB Digital Radio and the BBC Sounds app.

    This Twitter post cannot be displayed in your browser. Please enable Javascript or try a different browser.View original content on Twitter
    The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites.
    Skip twitter post

    Allow Twitter content?

    This article contains content provided by Twitter. We ask for your permission before anything is loaded, as they may be using cookies and other technologies. You may want to read Twitter’s cookie policy, external and privacy policy, external before accepting. To view this content choose ‘accept and continue’.

    The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites.
    End of twitter post
  10. Weather watchpublished at 10:50 British Summer Time 6 May 2021

    There's been some snow flurries in certain parts of the country this morning and potentially a few more still to come.

    What are the prospects of play for today?

    Well, the BBC Weather Centre radar can give us an idea of what to look out for.

    May well be several interruptions.

    This Twitter post cannot be displayed in your browser. Please enable Javascript or try a different browser.View original content on Twitter
    The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites.
    Skip twitter post

    Allow Twitter content?

    This article contains content provided by Twitter. We ask for your permission before anything is loaded, as they may be using cookies and other technologies. You may want to read Twitter’s cookie policy, external and privacy policy, external before accepting. To view this content choose ‘accept and continue’.

    The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites.
    End of twitter post
  11. Round 5 fixturespublished at 10:48 British Summer Time 6 May 2021

    Trent BridgeImage source, Rex Features

    Rather than nine matches, we've got eight on the way for you over the next four days. Here's what's in store:

    Group 1:

    Trent Bridge: Nottinghamshire v Essex - Nottinghamshire win toss and elect to bowl first

    Edgbaston: Warwickshire v Worcestershire - Worcestershire win toss and elect to bowl first

    Group 2:

    Ageas Bowl: Hampshire v Somerset - Somerset win toss and elect to bowl first

    Grace Road: Leicestershire v Surrey - Leicestershire win toss and elect to bat first

    Lord's: Middlesex v Gloucestershire - Gloucestershire win toss and elect to bowl first

    Group 3:

    Old Trafford: Lancashire v Glamorgan - Glamorgan win toss and elect to bat first

    Northampton: Northamptonshire v Sussex - toss delayed due to rain and bad light

    Headingley: Yorkshire v Kent - Yorkshire win toss and elect to bowl first

  12. Welcome backpublished at 10:45 British Summer Time 6 May 2021

    CockbainImage source, Rex Features

    Hello and good morning.

    The County Championship is back once again for its next instalment in this new format.

    We're already into round five and starting to see who may be among the title contenders.

    There are eight fixtures starting from this morning and some international-class names set to be in action once again.

    Let's build up the action for you.