A heart in mouth moment for Kemar Roach, who gets a brutal ball from Mohammad Abbas that rises sharply off a length and runs away down the leg side for four byes.

Very tense session of play in prospect here.

Kyle Abbott is coming on from the other end.

Conditions permitting. Always conditions permitting.

26 overs left in the day's play as it stands.

New ball taken by Hampshirepublished at 16:35 British Summer Time 27 September 2023

16:35 BST 27 September 2023

Hants 219 v Surrey 181-8

Taken straight away.

Mohammad Abbas will bowl to Jordan Clark with two slips.

No obvious signs of discomfort for Mohammad Abbas, who starts his new spell with a maiden.

Jordan Clark is back and across to Liam Dawson, driving through cover for one.

The covers are off and the umpires have had a look at the pitch.

No news of a restart time yet, but a bit more play here looks likely.

Good news down south.

We're coming back on to the field at the Ageas Bowl with the loss of only another eight overs.

28 overs left - conditions permitting.

Jordan Clark and Kemar Roach return to the middle.

Roach will face Mohammad Abbas first up.

This is his first spell of bowling since he sustained a back injury this morning.

With both Kent and Middlesex off the field, at least for a bit, we can take a moment to pause for breath.

Kent have picked up their first batting bonus point by reaching 250. They have 40 overs and three balls to try to push for further points by reaching 300, 350 and possibly even 400 or 450 for a maximum haul of five.

Middlesex had taken two Notts wickets before the rain arrived. They would pick up bowling bonus points for taking three, six and nine wickets, so long as it's within 110 overs.

Kent began this round with a one-point lead over Middlesex and that last milestone moments ago has restored a two-point advantage.

Who does this delay benefit? Probably Kent the most. It's less time available to Middlesex to engineer a victory which would put them in pole position for survival.

The skies over Nottingham are currently lighter and there are groundstaff on the outfield taking stock.

So, the only ground where we have play is at Hove.

Sussex are going along nicely in their second innings on 189-3. They lead Gloucestershire by 196.

Not a lot else to report elsewhere other than it's dark, or raining.

That short ball from Jack Blatherwick has made up the umpire's minds... the players trudge off for bad light.

It looks better than it did 15 minutes earlier and will make Ben Compton feel evern more sick as his team-mates join him in the dressing room just moments after he arrived. Just two balls were bowled between him going and the players coming off.

Four byes off the helmet of Joe Denly has brought up a batting bonus point for Kent.

A rollercoaster of emotions in the space of two minutes.

partnership for Kentpublished at 16:05 British Summer Time 27 September 2023

16:05 BST 27 September 2023

Kent 238-3 v Lancashire 327

50 coming from Ben Compton and 42 from Joe Denly. Who'd have thunk it?

Just how crucial this stand will prove to be in the Division One table will only become apparent later, but for now it feels absolutely vital.

A dozen away from a batting bonus point.

And we're off.

The umpires are staying in the middle for now and there's a chance of play later, albeit probably with spin bowling only.

Superb bowling from left arm spinner Liam Dawson in particular, who removed Cameron Steel LBW playing off the back foot just after tea.

He now has 4-43 off 28 overs.

Jordan Clark battles through the mini session for 27 not out.

There is a Tom Hartley sighting at Canterbury.... he's bringing the box of balls on, don't panic Kent fans. Might see him tomorrow mind you.

Lancashire have been allowed to replace the ball for the second time, having done so after 41 overs they have done so again on 65 overs.

Last time it brought them a wicket... Kent will be hoping Lancashire Lightning doesn't strike twice.

Kemar Roach is in the mood here, forward on bended knee to Liam Dawson and swinging the ball over Mohammad Abbas at mid on for three.

Pace bowler James Fuller was about to come on, but no longer.

The umpires are taking another light meter reading...

We're staying on. James Vince is deploying spin at both ends now as off-spinner Tom Prest joins left armer Liam Dawson in the attack.

Turn and bounce straight away for Prest, who gets the ball to spin into Kemar Roach from outside off.

The third ball is swept on the front foot in front of square for four.

Lovely shot - striking the ball from outside the off peg.

The last ball is swung away square off an inside edge for one.

Bit of a slog, that.

The rain has completely set in at Chester-le-Street and day two is done.

Division Two champions Durham might have their sights set on wrapping this up tomorrow when the forecast does look better.

Just to confirm, no sign of a resumption at Trent Bridge... the big covers remain in place and the skies are still leaden.

Jordan Clark cuts Liam Dawson through backward point and runs a very tight single.

The ball was airborne for a while too, but lands safely.

Ooh. The umpires are checking their light meters now...

Floodlights are on at Canterbury but play resumes on time.

31 overs left in the day. If Kent could somehow find 119 runs in those overs before stumps then they will sleep far more comfortably tonight.