Well, a full day's play at virtually all County Championship grounds and no April showers in sight - wasn't that nice? And we've seen some wonderful cricket too.

Cameron Steel's fantastic unbeaten 141 has helped put defending champions Surrey in full control of their Division One opener against Lancashire at Emirates Old Trafford.

Jamie Porter's six-wicket haul and Dan Lawrence's 105 have given Essex the edge against Middlesex, despite Toby Roland-Jones' 7-61 for the hosts.

Zak Crawley's 91 has put Kent on top against Northants while the other two top-flight matches - Hampshire v Notts and Somerset v Warwickshire - are intriguingly poised.

There's been some big scoring in Division Two, most notably from Yorkshire as Dawid Malan's 132 built on Fin Bean's 118 on Thursday to earn the White Rose a healthy advantage over Leicestershire.

There will be plenty more big hitting on day three on Saturday no doubt - so join us back here right then.

Image source, Rex Features

Division One

Southampton: Notts 185 & 146-6 (49.5 overs), Hampshire 231

Manchester: Surrey 442, Lancashire 233-8 (77 overs)

Lord's: Essex 266 v Middlesex 170

Canterbury: Northamptonshire 117 & 47-2, Kent 222

Taunton: Somerset 269-8 (88 overs) v Warwickshire

Division Two

Sophia Gardens: Gloucestershire 165, Glamorgan 388-8 (105 overs)

Leeds: Yorkshire 517, Leicestershire 201-5 (60 overs)

Derby: Derbyshire 321, Worcestershire 331-6 (95 overs)

Hove: Durham 376, Sussex 332-9 (91 overs)

Northants have dug in doggedly at Canterbury this evening but still lost two second-innings wickets.

They are also still 58 runs behind Kent after Zak Crawley's excellent 91 led the hosts to a healthy first-innings lead.

Don Topley
BBC Essex

Jamie Porter reduced Middlesex to 4-4, then 20-5 before a fine and stoic sixth wicket partnership of 127 runs between Ryan Higgins and John Simpson rescued the hosts at Lord’s.

Porter, together with Sam Cook, bowled full and straight and just made Middlesex play almost every delivery of their opening spells. It was great to see Porter smile again as he struggled to enjoy last season and his 2022 figures suggested that.

At close of play, Middlesex remain 96 runs behind Essex’s below par first Innings total of 266 all out.

Commencing overnight at 162-3, Dan Lawrence made a fine century but the Essex lower order struggled to contribute, except for Matt Critchley’s slow and defiant half-century.

Toby Roland-Jones was leading his Middlesex side for the first official time, with great heart and claimed a heroic 7-61 which included his 500th first-class wicket.

Not to be outdone, Essex’s senior bowler Porter claimed 6-35 as Middlesex were bowled out in the final over of the day, for 170. Essex have regained the upper hand on day two over the newly-promoted visitors.

Yorkshire's day again after a Dawid Malan ton to follow Fin Bean's on the first day.

But, despite half-centuries from Colin Ackermann (67) and Peter Handscomb (62 not out), Leicestershire still trail Yorkshire by 316 runs with only five wickets remaining.

The Foxes need to reach 368 tomorrow to avoid the threat of being asked to follow on.

Two overs remain in the day at Lord's where Middlesex have reduced their deficit to under 100.

Tom Helm quickly off the mark and up to seven, alongside John Simpson (63no).

Centuries from Kiran Carlson and Billy Root take Glamorgan to a dominant position at 388 for eight, a lead of 223 over Gloucestershire.

The runs and wickets have flowed again on day two at Hove.

Cheteshwar Pujara's 115 was the stand out, but all of Durham's attack have chipped in with wickets as they look set for a narrow lead at halfway.

A dominant day for Glamorgan with centuries from Kiran Carlson (106) and Billy Root (104no), plus Eddie Byrom's 81, helping them to a commanding 223-run lead over Gloucestershire in Division Two.

Marchant de Lange took 3-72 on his Glos debut but the visitors have their work cut out to avoid defeat at Sophia Gardens this weekend. It will take some second-innings batting effort.

A captain's innings from Brett D'Oliveira at Derby has earned his side a small overnight lead.

Bolstered by Jack Haynes (62) and Jake Libby (41), Dolly closed on 87, supported by 34 from Matthew Waite.

Great final session recovery by Somerset at Taunton to recover from 136-7 to 269-8 at the close.

Acting captain Lewis Gregory has led the way with an unbeaten 67.

Another fast-paced day at Southampton with 13 more wickets falling.

Notts won the first two sessions to bowl out Hampshire and then get into the lead.

But Kyle Abbott's four wickets have turned it back in the home side's favour - but not by much as Notts lead by 100 with four wickets left.

Century for Glamorgan's Rootpublished at 18:46 British Summer Time 7 April 2023

18:46 BST 7 April 2023

Glamorgan 378-8 v Gloucestershire 165

Eventful over in Cardiff as Colin Ingram is caught for 13 but two balls later Billy Root passes the 100 mark in style by hitting Marchant de Lange for four.

Glamorgan totally in command and nearing a fourth batting point.

Will Williams and Colin de Grandhomme make it to stumps, having added 36.

But make no mistake, this is Surrey's day by a mile and they are in complete control of this game, leading by 209.