Image source, Rex Features

After a pretty bonkers opening day, Surrey will seek to regain their stranglehold on this match on day two.

After reducing Kent to 118-7, an incredible 32 overs saw the visitors reach 278 thanks largely to Joey Evison’s unbeaten 77 and No 11 Michael Hogan’s 43 from 48 balls in a last-wicket stand worth 82.

Despite losing Rory Burns for 14 in the final session, the hosts were within 190 runs overnight and Surrey seamer Jordan Clark, who claimed 3-61, admitted: “We would probably have liked to restrict them to a bit less than that in their first innings but we are happy to be where we are going into day two.

“Dom Sibley and Ollie Pope have given us a lovely foundation from which to kick on and it will be nice to bat out there in sunshine for once this season if the forecast is correct!”

Image source, Getty Images

England pace bowler Stuart Broad was close to his best on the opening day against Essex at Trent Bridge, according to Notts head coach Peter Moores.

Broad and Dane Paterson each took three wickets in support of Brett Hutton (4-69) as Essex were restricted to a single batting point.

“I thought Stuart hit his straps and probably bowled as well as he has for us this season. He knows it is his last game before the Ashes summer and I think he wants to have a good game to come out of it with confidence going into that Ireland Test," said Moores.

“He looked like he was back to the true Stuart Broad, picking his knees up in his run-up. He was unlucky not to get wickets with three or four other balls that beat the bat. I’m really pleased with how he’s gone and I think he’ll take a lot of confidence from that."

Image source, PA Media

It's not what England supporters want to hear, but Steve Smith will have a first County Championship century in his sights on day two of Sussex's home game against Glamorgan.

Smith ended the opening day on 68 not out, with Sussex 98 ahead after England's Ollie Robinson took 4-29 as they bowled out the Welsh county in just 37.4 overs.

"It’s great batting with Steve Smith. He’s very chilled out in the middle. We had a nice partnership," said opener Tom Haines, who made 58.

"It’s a massive bonus having Ollie Robinson in the side. He’s a world-class bowler. We can guarantee three or four wickets when we chuck him the ball."

Hampshire's Liam Dawson scored 61 runs in total in his first six innings of the season - but last weekend he top-scored with 84 at Canterbury and he remains unbeaten on 56 going into day two against Northants at the Ageas.

After a see-saw opening day Hampshire will be seeking to chase a third, and potentially even fourth batting point in the opening 14 overs, while presumably giving themselves the best chance of taking 20 wickets in search of a second mammoth win over Northants inside a month.

Dawson said: “It was nice. I have worked hard in the last month and tried to cash in when I feel good. It is another big day where I will try to get back in and get as many runs as I can.

“County cricket can be tough when you get into a run of low scores and you start to over think things. I’m trying to give myself the best chance in training and hopefully I can continue to score."

Image source, Rex Features

Somerset's George Bartlett believes their "world-class bowling attack" will be key to victory at Lord's after his 121 on the opening day.

The Cider Boys are one of two Division One sides without a win so far - although they have only lost one, with the other four all drawn.

“If you’d offered that score to us at the start, we’d have taken it, with that lateral movement early on and throughout the day. If we can get 400-plus, we’re in a really good position," Bartlett said.

"Because of the slope, the bowlers are always in the game. Hopefully we can exploit whatever there is in the pitch. We’re capable of getting 20 wickets and if we keep going, we’ll get our rewards."

Image source, Getty Images

The big question ahead of day two at New Road is 'will there be a day three'?

With 22 wickets gone already and Leicestershire 156 ahead, there is a lot of work for Worcestershire to do to revive their chances.

"It's a very emotional changing room at the moment. They are very frustrated and embarrassed about how we went about today, it wasn't good enough really to put ourselves in that position," head coach Alan Richardson told BBC Hereford and Worcester.

"I had some tough days as a cricketer and that was a tough day as a coach. You have to have a little bit of empathy in terms of what the guys are going through. We're all in it together."

Image source, Getty Images

Durham batter Graham Clark thanked head coach Ryan Campbell for his support after hitting only the second first-class hundred of his career on day one at Bristol.

Clark made exactly 100 from 155 balls as the visitors closed just seven runs short of a fourth batting point, with one wicket left.

"Scoring a hundred is a special feeling, because I didn't think this day would come again. I've not played much red-ball cricket in the last few years and it was good to be given the opportunity," he said.

"Ryan Campbell has showed faith in me, given me a lot of confidence and given me so much to be thankful for. It was good that I was able to repay him out in the middle."

"A fine Friday for many, but a few heavy/thundery showers possibly in parts of England and SE Wales later."

That is the BBC Weather summary and you can watch Matt Taylor's latest forecast by clicking here.

Division One

Hampshire 331-6 v Northamptonshire

Middlesex v Somerset 325-6

Nottinghamshire 13-0 v Essex 298

Surrey 88-1 v Kent 278

Division Two

Gloucestershire v Durham 393-9

Sussex 221-4 v Glamorgan 123

Worcestershire 83 v Leicestershire 173 & 66-2

Image source, Rex Features

"Well that was fun, wasn't it?"

Aficionados of CBeebies show Hey Duggee will recognise those words - which also very much apply to last night's incredible League One play-off semi-final at Hillsborough.

Still craving more sporting excitement and intrigue? Let's see if the County Championship can provide it.

Welcome to our coverage of day two in the latest round of matches. Play starts at 11:00.