Tim Murtagh has a shiny new Dukes ball in his hand under grey skies at Lord's and is preparing to bowl at Rory Burns and Dom Sibley.

This is the same track on which Middlesex beat Kent by nine wickets in just over seven sessions in April. Murtagh took 10 wickets in that match...

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Delayed start at Trent Bridgepublished at 10:59 British Summer Time 19 July 2023

10:59 BST 19 July 2023

Notts v Hants - start delayed, rain

Nottinghamshire haven't won a red-ball game since the middle of May when they trounced Northants - they are currently on a run of four games without a win.

They were impressive against league-leaders Surrey in their last outing though, securing a draw and impressing with both bat and ball, and will want to build on that performance here.

Hampshire's bowling attack is the envy of sides across the country, but they head to Trent Bridge licking their wounds somewhat after running into James Rew a couple of weeks ago.

With plenty of moisture about at a ground that traditionally nips about, they will fancy a glorious return to form should the toss go their way.

It is raining though, so both sides are currently kicking their heels.

Lancashire arrive at Edgbaston having lost to Essex in the last round of fixtures, largely thanks to a dismal first-innings showing with the bat that saw them bundled out for 145.

They have been stuck into bat this morning under grey Birmingham skies by the hosts, who welcome Danny Briggs and Dan Mousley back into the side.

Warwickshire come into this game in flying form, having crushed Kent by an innings and 46 runs in their last outing, led by Rob Yates' unbeaten 228.

They will want to back that up here and push towards the top of Division One.

Image source, Getty Images

Northamptonshire come into this clash with Somerset off the back of a remarkable tie with Middlesex, a result which ended a run of three crushing innings defeats in red-ball cricket.

Tom Taylor prevented Sam Robson taking the required 10 runs needed from the final over of the contest, but Northants remain rooted to the bottom of the table, and need to start picking up results soon if they are to avoid relegation to Division Two.

There are no such fears for Somerset who, despite having only won two games in the County Championship this season, sit safely mid-table thanks to a series of draws.

And in James Rew they have perhaps the most talented prospect in English cricket right now.

The 19-year-old struck 221 in Somerset's most recent outing against Hampshire, extending his lead at the top of the run-scoring charts, and taking his tally of centuries for the season to five.

Image source, Getty Images

Kent aren't the only side heading across the Thames this week, Surrey head to Lord's seeking to get their campaign back on track.

The Brown Caps followed a home defeat to Lancashire last month with a draw against Notts at the Oval last time out in the County Championship, while Saturday's disappointing semi-final defeat to Somerset on Finals Day was their fourth in five T20 Blast matches.

Surrey still lead the way by 13 points but Essex and Warwickshire have closed the gap, while at the other end, after failing to see-off basement-boys Northants in a dramatic finish at Merchant Taylors' last time out, second-bottom Middlesex have to close an 11-point gap to Kent.

Tim Murtagh is in for Toby Roland Roland-Jones while Jack Davies replaces Stephen Eskinazi for the hosts.

Image source, Rex Features

Essex return to red-ball action after the disappointment of losing in the Blast final to Somerset on Saturday evening.

Three straight wins have taken Essex second, just 13 points adrift of leaders Surrey while Warwickshire - beaten at Chelmsford in Essex's last home game - are 10 behind in third, though they have a game in hand.

Dan Lawrence is set to be available from the second morning after his release from England's Ashes party.

Kent are just above the drop-zone, 11 points ahead of second-bottom Middlesex, having played a game more.

They are missing injured opener Daniel Bell-Drummond, who scored 300* in their last away game, while overseas paceman Wes Agar has returned to Australia after a back injury.

Image source, Rex Features

Div One

• Essex v Kent - Kent won toss and elected to bat
• Middlesex v Surrey - Middlesex won toss and chose to bowl
• Northants v Somerset - Northants won toss and chose to bowl
• Notts v Hampshire - start delayed, rain
• Warwickshire v Lancashire - Warwickshire won toss and chose to bowl

Div Two

• Derbyshire v Durham - Durham won toss and chose to bowl
• Leicestershire v Worcestershire - Leics won toss and chose to bowl
• Yorkshire v Sussex - Sussex won toss and elected to bat

Morning!

What a feast of cricket we've got for you today.

Alongside England's crucial fourth Ashes Test at Old Trafford, there are eight County Championship games to get stuck into at a pivotal time of the season.

Action coming up in 15 minutes...

Image source, Rex Features