Another day.

Another long day.

Another early start.

Another late finish.

County cricketers and cricket-writers sure earn their corn at this time of year.

Back for more of the same red-ball 'punishment' tomorrow though? You betcha!!!

Please join us again at 11.00 in the morning.

Division One

Southampton: Hampshire (231 & 132-2) beat Notts (185 & 177) by eight wickets

Manchester: Surrey 442 & 180-5, Lancashire 291 & 37-0

Lord's: Essex 266 & 211, Middlesex 170 & 77-5

Canterbury: Northamptonshire 117 & 300-7, Kent 222

Taunton: Somerset 284, Warwickshire 307-5

Division Two

Sophia Gardens: Gloucestershire 165 & 373-5, Glamorgan 404

Leeds: Yorkshire 517 & 220-4, Leicestershire 415

Derby: Derbyshire 321 & 269-6, Worcestershire 473

Hove: Durham 376 & 189, Sussex 335 & 172-5

The end of a thrilling day on the South Coast.

16 wickets have fallen for 364 runs - and Sussex still require 59 more tomorrow for an opening win.

Derbyshire lead Worcestershire by 117 at the end of day three.

Skipper Leus du Plooy is still there on 52, with Zak Chappell on 21.

It's still the Pears' day though after a maiden first-class century from Matthew Waite.

The day had started positively for Middlesex who put in a good bowling performance, with Tim Murtagh (4-44) starring with the ball.

They bowled Essex out within 64 overs, with Matt Critchley (53) top-scoring and Dan Lawrence adding 37.

But their good work quickly unravelled after tea when they were blitzed by the Essex bowlers with their top three batters departing for seven between them.

John Simpson had been going along well in partnership with Stevie Eskinazi (24*) and the duo had looked to be seeing the day out before the former was caught and bowled in the penultimate over leaving Middlesex a mountain to climb tomorrow.

Last over of the day at Derbypublished at 19:10 British Summer Time 8 April 2023

19:10 BST 8 April 2023

Derbyshire 321 & 268-6, Worcestershire 473

Not long now! Getting their money's worth today.

John Simpson has struck a couple of fours amid a lot of dot balls in the closing stages.

He and Stevie Eskinazi have two overs to see out.

Yorkshire close with a lead over Leicestershire of 322 - and their supporters wondering why they have not already declared.

Back tomorrow morning at 11.00.

It's all quietened down a bit at Lord's as we enter the closing stages.

Stevie Eskinazi (23*) and John Simpson (11*) have just over five overs left to negotiate.

Middlesex really need them to stay in and see it through.

It had looked like they might get skittled earlier on.

Half-century for Hill at Headingleypublished at 18:45 British Summer Time 8 April 2023

18:45 BST 8 April 2023

Yorkshire 517 & 211-4, Leicestershire 415

George Hill completes his half-century at Headingley.

Good partnership this with Shai Hope (82).

One over left in the day.

Back again at Taunton at 11,00 in the morning.

A Sam Hain century awaits - and a draw. Barring a Somerset batting debacle.

Hampshire are the first winners of the 2023 season after their eight-wicket success over Nottinghamshire.

Mo Abbas took three wickets in the morning as Notts lost their last four wickets for 31.

Then 21-year-old opener Fletcha Middleton anchored the chase with 65 to follow on from 59 in the first innings on his Championship debut.

It all left captain James Vince a very happy man after his side's three-day triumph.

The Hampshire skipper said: "To restrict them to just under 180 was a great effort, then Fletcha was outstanding in his first Championship game in both innings.

"I don’t want to put pressure on Fletcha too early but he has technique, composure and sticks to his routines.

"He was the stand-out batter in this game and there is some good quality batters in this game – it is credit to him."

Nice improvisation from Cheteshwar Pujara as he lifts a ball over the slips from Matt Potts.

The skipper then nudges a single down to deep square.

There eight overs left tonight. Not sure Sussex will get there this evening, but it should be a brief Easter Sunday return.

You'd have to think that’s going to be it for the day at Taunton now.

Off they come, with nine ocvers still to be bowled, with Warwickshire leading Somerset by 23 runs, with half their men standing - and Sam Hain (83) and Michael Burgess (36) looking good.

If this game was at halfway, the Bears would be confident. But, due to the loss of the entire first day, it will almost certainly now be a final-day draw.

Shortly after the players are taken off for bad light the umpires decide to call it a day.

Gloucestershire's day no doubt as they restricted Glamorgan to adding only 16 to their overnight total, before scoring 373 runs for the loss of just five wickets.

Marcus Harris starred with 148, Chris Dent scored 78 and Miles Hammond 58 in a day of little joy for the home bowlers.

Glamorgan's first innings total means they are still very much in the game after being second best today and it looks like being an exciting final day at Sophia Gardens tomorrow.

Luke Wells and Keaton Jennings make it through 11 overs without too many alarms.

Lancashire have knocked 37 runs off their target of 444, leaving them a target of 407 more, or a possible 96 overs to survive tomorrow.

Surrey will need 10 wickets.