Summary

  • Use audio icons at top of the page to listen to BBC local radio commentaries

  • Defending county champions Surrey post 442 away to Lancashire

  • Middlesex dig in after losing first four batters for ducks in reply to Essex's 266

  • Kent bowl Northants out for 117 while Notts fight back against Hampshire

  • Somerset and Warwickshire under way after opening-day washout

  • Dawid Malan hits century as Yorkshire rack up 517 against Leicestershire in Division Two

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Live Reporting

Ged Scott, Adam Lanigan and Michael Beardmore

  1. Division One recap

    Before today's action begins, a reminder of what happened on Thursday as the 2023 County Championship got under way.

    England wicketkeeper Ben Foakes produced a timely reminder of his batting qualities as his 76, plus 86 not out from Cameron Steel, put defending champions Surrey in an excellent position after day one against Lancashire, helping them to 340-7 at Emirates Old Trafford.

    Another England man, Dan Lawrence, hit an unbeaten 74 as Essex enjoyed the better of a truncated, gloomy opening day against newly-promoted Middlesex, reaching 162-3 before bad light and rain intervened for the final time.

    Hampshire's Mohammad Abbas took 6-49 as Nottinghamshire were bowled out for 185 on their return to Division One. Championship debutant Fletcha Middleton's unbeaten 56 led the hosts to 119-3 at close in reply.

    Kent reduced Northamptonshire to 89-7 on a rain-affected first day at Canterbury. Grant Stewart took 3-6 and Michael Hogan 2-36 as the Spitfires exploited damp and dark conditions to leave the visitors deep in the mire.

    The only ground that did not have any action on Thursday was Taunton, where a severely sodden outfield meant an early decision was taken to call off the opening day's play between Somerset and Warwickshire.

    Dan Lawrence will begin Friday unbeaten on 74 for EssexRex Features

    Dan Lawrence will begin Friday unbeaten on 74 for Essex

  2. Last night's close of play scoreboard

    Division One

    Southampton: Notts 185, Hampshire 119-3 (33 overs)

    Manchester: Surrey 340-7 (96 overs) v Lancashire

    Lord's: Essex 162-3 (56 overs) v Middlesex

    Canterbury: Northamptonshire 89-7 (26 overs) v Kent

    Taunton: Somerset v Warwickshire: No play on first day

    Division Two

    Sophia Gardens: Gloucestershire 165, Glamorgan 4-0 (1 over)

    Leeds: Yorkshire 285-3 (60 overs) v Leicestershire

    Derby: Derbyshire 300-8 (67 overs) Worcestershire:

    Hove: Durham 352-7 (70 overs) v Sussex

  3. Good Friday Morning and Welcome

    Canterbury in the April sunshineAlex Hoad - BBC Sport

    Good Friday. Good Morning. And welcome back for the second day of the 2023 County Championship season.

    It's a sunny morning (in fact it looks particularly nice in Canterbury), the hot cross buns have all been heated and eaten. And we're ready for some Good cricket.

    It was only 20 years ago when cricket was played on a Good Friday for the first time. Back then, the day, in sporting terms at least, was renowned for the first leg of the three-game Easter football programme, Wigan v St Helens - and no horse racing!

    Now cricket is an all-year-round experience. In fact, so are hot cross buns, when once upon a time they were only sold on a Good Friday, but the world has changed. And so has the county game.

    After all the pre-season Bazball talk, there were some unmistakable signs yesterday that the lead set by England's Test match team has truly pervaded the county game too.

    More sixes hit than maidens bowled?

    Not quite. But it sure looked like fun. Let's hope for some more for the big Bank Holiday crowds to enjoy.