Image source, Rex Features

Well, well - that's the season officially off and running after a day of centuries, rain delays, BIG hail storms and plenty of layers in the crowds.

Thanks for being here with us, as ever, it's greatly appreciated.

You can read close of play reports from all the games on our Counties page of the BBC Sport website and app right here.

We'll be back to bring you the action on the second day from 10:45 BST on Friday.

Be sure to get across BBC Sport to follow it all with us.

Go well! Cheers!

Division One:

Chelmsford: Essex 272-4 v Kent - Kent won toss and elected to bowl

Ageas Bowl: Hampshire 109-0 v Somerset 180 - Somerset won toss and elected to bat

Northampton: Gloucestershire 164-8 v Northamptonshire - Northants won toss and elected to bowl

Edgbaston: Warwickshire v Surrey 168-3 - Surrey won toss and elected to bat

Division Two:

Sophia Gardens: Glamorgan 164-4 v Durham. No play after tea - Durham won toss and elected to bowl

Leicester: Leicestershire v Worcestershire 118-4 - Worcestershire won toss and elected to bat

Lord's: Middlesex 307-4 v Derbyshire - Derbyshire won toss and elected to bowl

Hove: Sussex 302-6 v Nottinghamshire - Notts won toss and elected to bowl

And to see those scores in more detail - head to our scorecards page right here.

And with stumps at Grace Road that brings proceedings on the first day of a new season to a close.

Stay right there - we'll sum up the day's scores before we sign off.

Good end to a truncated day for Worcestershire.

From 45-4, fifth-wicket pair Brett D'Oliveira (34) and Ed Barnard (41) have put on 73.

A captain's innings from Dolly on his first day as Pears captain.

Only one game running now, but it's the last over of the day in Leicester.

That's it at Wantage Road.

Umpires Tom Lungley and James Middlebrook were already concerned at the light before one last April shower arrived to end play for the day.

Glenn Speller
BBC Essex at Chelmsford

This is not how you expect the opening match of a County Championship season to start especially when you lose the toss and are sent in to bat.

You could forgive Nick Browne and Sir Alastair Cook for thinking it was a thankless task in bowler-friendly conditions, but the pitch proved to be true and offered little lateral movement while the Kent attack looked blunt and lacking variety.

Browne’s 17th century and Cook’s 37th for his county looked nailed-on by mid-afternoon and while Kent dried-up the runs, they could see the writing on the wall.

But from 220 without loss, the late removals of the two centurions, followed by Dan Lawrence and nightwatchman, Jamie Porter, gives Kent some hope this game has not got away from them.

Five overs to go at Northampton. Light fading. But the floodlights are on - and so on they go, for now.

James Bracey is still looking untroubled on 76, having so far made all 20 runs in his ninth-wicket partnership with Naseem Shah.

He has now hit nine boundaries in a top class knock.

Hampshire's day hands down.

After losing the toss, they then dismissed Somerset for 180 before closing in reply on 109-0.

Joe Weatherley finishes on 65 not out and Ian Holland 41 not out as the hosts trail by just 71 with all 10 wickets still in hand.

Ed Seabourne
BBC Radio Bristol at Wantage Road

James Bracey has shown his class and resilience with a half-century to warm the hearts of Gloucestershire supporters.

Dogged defence eventually gave way to some more expansive shots, but they were always executed with a measured efficiency.

Gloucestershire will have to try to eke out whatever further runs they can as the light fades at the end of the day.

Glenn Speller
BBC Essex at Chelmsford

Image source, Rex Features

Sir Alastair Cook joined the three-figure club for Essex on this opening day of the County Championship season.

He had to be the more-watchful of he and Nick Browne early only, but in his usual understated way, accumulated runs.

He offered two fleeting chances when sending the ball flashing past first slip and then another which was edged through a vacant third slip.

But up until his dismissal, it had been a standard Cook innings and shows his appetite for runs remains strong as does his drive to help Essex to more success.

This was his 70th century with 37 of those for his county.

The standing ovation from the spectators tells you all you need to know about what the Essex faithful think about one of theirs and the country’s greatest batsmen.

An announcement comes that they are due to resume against Wantage Road at 18:10 BST.

Weather permitting, of course.

With the floodlights on, there are 11 more overs scheduled in the day.

Kevan James
BBC Radio Solent at Ageas Bowl

Image source, Rex Features

Very pleased for Joe Weatherley, who works hard on his game.

Only once did he pass 50 last season - 78 in the first innings against Gloucestershire at Cheltenham.

He finished the season averaging just 18. He also struggled for runs in the pre-season series of matches.

But he’s battled well here. Peter Siddle bowled well at him but he came through it.

He’s helping make this a very good day for the home side.

That's it for the day at Edgbaston.

The sun is shining, as it so often invariably does, as the groundstaff put on the covers for the last time. But umpires Tom Robinson and Steve O'Shaughnessy have seen enough.

100 for Alastair Cookpublished at 17:58 British Summer Time 7 April 2022

17:58 BST 7 April 2022

Essex 241-1 v Kent

There it is!

Alastair Cook compiles yet another century - his 37th in an Essex shirt.

He tucks Matt Milnes away for a trademark leg-glanced single to get to three figures off 262 balls, including 11 fours.

50 for Joe Weatherleypublished at 17:53 British Summer Time 7 April 2022

17:53 BST 7 April 2022

Hampshire 78-0 v Somerset 180

Half-century for Hampshire opener Joe Weatherley as their impressive opening day of the season continues.

Six fours for Weatherley in his 83-ball effort so far as Ian Holland (26 not out) also continues to flourish at the other end.