Surrey led Essex by 18 points at the top of D1 before the start of the current round
Karun Nair hits century for Northants but Surrey claim three bowling points
Essex's Matt Critchley out for 99 as they declare on 447-9 against Hants
Middlesex's Tim Murtagh takes five wickets in an innings for the 40th time in first-class cricket
Northants will be relegated if either Middlesex or Kent win
No play possible at Old Trafford, Taunton, Worcester, Leicester and Derby
Essex 403-7 v Hants
Umesh Yadav slashes Liam Dawson through the covers for four.
The next ball is a looping full toss and he clobbers it over mid-wicket for the second six of his innings as Essex reach 400.
Essex 390-7 v Hants
Don't know much about Umesh Yadav's batting pedigree but he made a decent enough contact with that one.
The Indian pace bowler deposits Felix Organ's off-spin over long on for a maximum as Essex advance towards 400.
Surrey v Northants 286-7
Close! Kemar Roach bowls a yorker length ball just outside off and Karun Nair plays over the top of it and misses.
A rare false stroke from the batter.
But that's a much better shot, clipped through mid wicket on the front foot for four.
He'll keep the strike with single, dropped into the off side.
He's on 98...
Derbyshire v Sussex
Having ordered an early lunch, the umpires have now decided there will be no play again today at the Incora County Ground.
We haven't had a single ball bowled yet and Sussex's remote chance of promotion grows ever more remote.
Middlesex 121 v Warwickshire 145-6
Danny Briggs is playing a valuable knock here for Warwickshire as their advantage over Middlesex grows to 24.
Briggs has advanced to 24 not out with two fours off that last Ethan Bamber over, picking him up over midwicket and then playing a delicate late cut that beats the chasing fielder.
Surrey v Northants 280-7
More frustration for Surrey as Karun Nair edges the ball just short of Dom Sibley at slip.
The ball bounces in front of him and knocks his cap off.
At the other end, Tom Taylor is on the back foot to Dan Worrall, pushing the ball away through cover for a single.
Karun Nair advances confidently into the 90s with a superb drive straight down the ground for four. He's on 92.
He gets to 93 with a single nudged through mid wicket.
Worrall drops short and Taylor pulls the ball away for one.
Northants within 20 of a second batting point here. Riches indeed in a season where they only had four at the start of this round.
Essex 378-7 v Hants
Image source, Rex FeaturesSimon Harmer square cuts Liam Dawson for four and finds the boundary again with a reverse sweep to reach his third 50 of the season, this one from 76 balls.
The South African is now clearly in the mood to get on with it, with just under half an hour to go before lunch.
In case you have only just joined us, a quick reminder that there has been no play at Old Trafford or Taunton so far this morning because of rain, or in any of the three Division Two games.
Surrey v Northants 271-7
Kemar Roach is bowling a tight line here to Tom Taylor, but he gets a tiny bit of width outside off to push the ball away through cover on the back foot for a single to reach a fine half century.
55 balls, five fours and a six.
It's a second first-class 50 for Taylor in a season where he's also made more than a few useful runs in the One Day Cup.
Essex 369-7 v Hants
With rain expected later on, how will Essex approach this now?
Maybe that is an indication as Simon Harmer scoops Liam Dawson over wide long-on for six.
He is 41 not out, with Umesh Yadav on two. Felix Organ will bowl the next over.
Surrey v Northants 268-7
It's getting a bit gloomy here and we could have some serious disruption this afternoon.
Tom Taylor continues to disrupt Surrey with a clip behind square leg off Dan Worrall for two.
The third ball is driven and edged wide of a diving third slip.
A streaky four but four nonetheless in an otherwise fine knock.
He gets a single off the fourth ball and Karun Nair gets four more with a nudge to third man.
Essex 360-7 v Hants
So, three batting points it is for Essex as the 110th over of their innings comes to an end with just a Simon Harmer single added.
It means that should they manage to win this game, they will earn a maximum of 22 points.
Having trailed Surrey by 18 before the game began, they will be hoping Northants can at least avoid defeat at The Oval.
Middlesex 121 v Warwickshire 134-6
Warwickshire aren't finding it too taxing when it comes to scoring off Jayant Yadav.
The India spinner has gone for almost four an over so far and he's also conceded three no-balls - all of which are helping to get the Bears back on track after Tim Murtagh had reduced them to 95-6.
Danny Briggs and Will Rhodes have now added 39 so far and this promises to turn into a very useful lead.
Surrey v Northants 257-7
Tom Taylor will keep the strike with a clip off the toes behind square.
He's playing superbly here.
He plays across the line to Kemar Roach and gets a single through mid wicket.
Karun Nair moves on to 83 with a handsome drive through extra cover for four. Beautiful timing and balance.
Surrey v Northants 250-7
Tom Taylor is fine to continue and he ends the over with a single to deep backward square.
The first ball from Dan Worrall at the other end is driven to backward point - and there's the hard won batting point.
The 250 comes in the 84th over and looked a distant prospect 12 overs earlier when Northants were 193-7.
Essex 358-7 v Hants
Looks like Essex have settled for three batting points as Umesh Yadav plays out a Kyle Abbott maiden.
They need 42 off 12 balls for a fourth. How will Simon Harmer approach the next over?
Middlesex 121 v Warwickshire 122-6
These are valuable runs from Danny Briggs and he's just steered the visitors into the lead with a reverse sweep off Jayant Yadav for four.
Briggs is 14 not out, with Will Rhodes still there on 55 at the other end.
Surrey v Northants 248-7
Shot! Tom Taylor gets four more with a glance through mid wicket on the front foot.
Now Northants are within touching distance of a batting point.
Taylor drives and misses outside off.
The fifth ball is short, striking the batter on the helmet, possibly via the shoulder as he tries to hook.
The physio is going on to the field...
Surrey v Northants 244-7
Dan Worrall will share the new ball once again with Kemar Roach.
The second ball is leg side and stroked away square by Taylor for a single.
The next ball is played a little loosely by Karun Nair, who swipes it away to backward point for one. That takes him to 78 - the same first innings score he made against Warwickshire at Edgbaston last week.
Essex 357-7 v Hants
Image source, Rex FeaturesYou have to say that is very well done by Hampshire.
They have tied Matt Critchley down for several minutes and in the end he loses patience, tries to clear the off-side ring and is caught by Nick Gubbins at short extra.
He batted for 274 minutes, faced 172 balls and hit a six and four fours.
Umesh Yadav comes out with three and a half overs left for Essex to try and score 43 runs for the fourth batting point. Tall order.