Simon Harmer's long spell comes to an end.

Matt Critchley takes over and Tom Prest drives his third ball for four.

A good reply by Critchley, who turns the next past the outside edge.

Prest tries to cut the final ball but finds a fielder.

A change by Essex and Dan Lawrence is called on to bowl what will be only his sixth over in the Championship this season.

It's not too bad - just three runs conceded.

up for Lancashirepublished at 14:42 British Summer Time 21 September 2023

14:42 BST 21 September 2023

Lancs 150-5 v Notts

Steven Croft turns Dane Paterson for a single on the leg side and that prompts a polite ripple of applause around Old Trafford as the home side put 150 on the board.

As BBC Radio Lancashire's Scott Read pointed out, it really is all about bonus points for these two sides - but still quite a way for the Red Rose to pick up any of those for their batting here.

Croft is 22 not out, with Matthew Hurst on six.

Another Simon Harmer over and Keith Barker chips his opening delivery down the ground for four.

The spinner turns one past the bat and Adam Rossington appeals for a stumping but the umpire at square leg says no.

Barker is 13 not out and Tom Prest has 53.

Earlier on, we showed you photos of presentations to the retiring Tim Murtagh at Lord's. There's also been a hand-out at Taunton to Jack Brooks, who leaves Somerset at the end of the season.

Image source, Getty Images

for Harry Swindellspublished at 14:35 British Summer Time 21 September 2023

14:35 BST 21 September 2023

Leics 183-9 v Yorks 155

Harry Swindells' memorable week continues as he follows his century in the One-Day Cup final with a 57-ball 50 in his first Championship appearance of the season for Leicestershire.

He reaches it with a single to point off Jordan Thompson and the Foxes are 28 in front with one wicket remaining.

Image source, Rex Features

Scott Read
BBC Radio Lancashire

Matty Hurst was 18 months old when Steven Croft made his Lancashire debut and now they're batting together, with Hurst making his first-class debut.

With so much time lost in the match it feels like a game being played out for bonus points, and a draw should remove any prospect of a nervous final week for Nottinghamshire.

for Tom Prestpublished at 14:29 British Summer Time 21 September 2023

14:29 BST 21 September 2023

Essex 447-9 dec v Hants 221-6

A big moment for Tom Prest as he reaches his first 50 in first-class cricket with a boundary off Jamie Porter, flicked away to mid-wicket.

It has taken the right-hander 69 balls and that was his ninth four in total.

Asitha Fernando is certainly getting the ball to swing and it's an interesting duel between him and Steven Croft at the moment.

The experienced Croft is digging everything out as he settles down to play one of the many gritty innings he has produced during his Lancashire career.

He's 18 not out from 70 balls, attempting to hold the Red Rose innings together while debutant Matthew Hurst - half Croft's age at 19 - is on two at the other end.

Three fours in Jordan Thompson's eighth over put Leicestershire level with Yorkshire, who they bowled out for 155 first thing this morning.

There are two more in the next, bowled by Ben Cliff, and the Foxes are 166-9.

Rain stops play at the Ovalpublished at 14:22 British Summer Time 21 September 2023

14:22 BST 21 September 2023

Surrey 91-6 v Northants 357

It's raining heavily now so an early tea break is likely.

Confirmation on that as and when we get it.

The forecast may improve later on this afternoon, though.

Rain stops play at the Ovalpublished at 14:19 British Summer Time 21 September 2023

14:19 BST 21 September 2023

Surrey 91-6 v Northants 357

And we're off. Surrey will be grateful for the respite but this is hugely frustrating for Northants, who have made big inroads into this innings.

The forecast is not as bad as yesterday and we will hopefully be back on soon.

Jack White beats Ben Foakes with bounce and movement outside off stump.

Can he get another?

The fourth ball is full and driven through long off by Foakes for four.

Foakes turns the last ball of the over through square leg for two as the rain starts to fall...

Andrew Radd
BBC Radio Northampton

"Northants will be hoping they can stay on for as long as possible but it's decidedly murky."

Keith Barker likes the reverse sweep too.

He times that one nicely and it's four off Simon Harmer to take the Hampshire total past 200.

Ben Sanderson is testing Ben Foakes out here, getting him to play and miss outside off.

Northants will be concerned about the darkening clouds in a game they have to win to stand a chance of staying in Division One.

But now time is being taken out of the game to check the state of the ball again. No changes, though.

Maiden over.

Heavy clouds have been hovering over St John's Wood for a while and the umpires have now consulted their light meters and decided the conditions are unfit for play.

Danny Briggs had just come on for an over of spin, which probably wouldn't have happened had the light been better - and Middlesex won't be too sorry to head back to the sanctuary of the dressing room for now.

With that said, it's been a decent start to the second innings by Sam Robson and Mark Stoneman, who have 33 and 17 respectively.

Image source, Rex Features

Two wickets in three balls for Yorkshire's Jordan Thompson at Grace Road. He knocks out Tom Scriven's off stump wioth one that nipped back and then has Chris Wright caught at second slip - a top effort by Adam Lyth up above his right shoulder.

Leicestershire are 140-8, only 15 behind, but it doesn't look like they are going to earn any batting points, which is very good news for Worcestershire.

Of course we meant Northants "belying their position at the bottom of the table."

Jamie Overton is off to a bright start, going down the pitch to Jack White and smashing the ball through extra cover for four.

An LBW shout is turned down. A bit too high.

The rain feels close but might just miss us.