County Championship day three - as it happened

1. Worcestershire's Kashif Ali scores second century of Division One match against Warwickshire
2. Lancashire and champions Surrey manage 21 balls before play abandoned on day three
3. No play at Durham, Derbyshire nor Yorkshire on day three

Until tomorrow...

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We've had more damp, blustery conditions today which once again wiped out a whole day's play at Durham, Derby and Headingley.

But there's been no lack of entertainment elsewhere.

Kashif Ali has emerged as a major talent for Worcestershire, scoring a century in each innings against Warwickshire with some of the silkiest attacking shots you'll ever see.

There could be a thrilling finish in prospect at Trent Bridge if the weather permits. Essex duo Paul Walter (79) and Matt Critchley (68) put on 132 for the sixth wicket as Essex stretched their lead to 298 over Notts.

Somerset have batted themselves into a handy lead against Kent, while at Lord's an eighth career century for Ryan Higgins (127 not out) meant Middlesex are likely to draw with Glamorgan following their mammoth first-innings total.

We'll be back at 10:45 BST on Monday to take you through to the end of the first round of the 2024 County Championship.

Close of play scorecard

Division One:

• Durham v Hampshire - match yet to begin
• Kent 284 v Somerset 374-7
• Lancashire 202 v Surrey 15-0
• Nottinghamshire 293 v Essex 253 & 329-8
• Warwickshire 333 v Worcestershire 360 & 237-2

Division Two:

• Derbyshire v Gloucestershire - match yet to begin
• Middlesex 460-5 v Glamorgan 620-3 dec
• Sussex 351-6 v Northamptonshire 371
• Yorkshire 72-2 v Leicestershire 354 - no play on day three

'I've liked the aggression that Somerset have shown'

Anthony Gibson

BBC Radio Somerset

I was most impressed with the way that Tom Lammonby and Matt Renshaw went about their business this morning, I think they batted very sensibly. They weren't trying anything too extravagant, they both played some lovely shots when the ball was there but they knew that the ball was going to get softer and batting was going to get easier so they didn't want to give it away early on.

I've liked the aggression that Somerset have shown in this last session of the day. It's been very attractive and entertaining cricket.

For Kent, Matt Parkinson bowled really well early on in his spell, he bowled bravely.

Kent have stuck to their guns pretty well today, it was a thankless task for the bowlers after about 20 overs when he Kookaburra ball started to go soft. It's a pretty good pitch, it's a slow pitch, it's been hard graft for the Kent bowlers and fielders but they've stuck to their task.

I think the game is headed for a draw but as days in Championship cricket go this has been a pretty good one.

Close of play at Hove

As expected, the light hasn't improved and we're done for the day.

Northants would've had hope of forcing a result in their favour after Saif Zaib (3-61) caused Sussex a mini collapse, losing 3-27 in less than seven overs.

But Fynn Hudson-Prentice (59 not out) and Danny Lamb (38 not out) have turned the tide in an aggressive partnership of 91 in 70 balls.

Close of play at Canterbury

Definitely Somerset's day as they close with a lead of 90 at the end of day three of their season opener against Kent.

Half-centuries from Matt Renshaw, Tom Lammonby, James Rew and Kasey Aldridge - who brought up his fifty with a single off the final ball of the day - have laid the platform for a potential dash at victory on Monday.

'It gives it a bit of an edge to the day tomorrow'

Adrian Harms

BBC Sussex

Entertaining cricket, Sussex really rattling on with six an over since tea.

We suspected that they were really looking to get a bit of a move on and I think that's good, it gives Sussex to play adventurous cricket and gives them every chance in the match.

We lost nearly a day but at least it gives it a bit of an edge to the day tomorrow.

A slog sweep from Kasey Aldridge clears the rope for six and he's up to 44.

Ten balls of the day remain for him to try to get to a half-century before the close.

'Good stuff to watch, from both sides'

Andrew Radd

BBC Radio Northampton

We've been very fortunate with the amount of cricket that we've had today and it's been good stuff to watch, from both sides.

Enterprising cricket, some good batting.

WICKET Rew c Finch b Leaning 57

A good knock from James Rew comes to an end on 57 with a sweep attempt that is horribly top-edged and wicketkeeper Harry Finch takes a comfortable catch.

Bad light stops play at Hove

Ben Sanderson is short and wide of off stump and Danny Lamb smacks it in front of square leg for four.

That's the 350 in 80.1 overs.

The umpires are having a chat. The light meters are out.

And we're off.

Frustrating for Sussex after a spectacular fightback from the lower order. Fynn Hudson-Prentice and Lamb have put on 93 for the seventh wicket in 70 balls.

partnership

James Rew and Kasey Aldridge have taken just 103 balls to register their century partnership for Somerset's seventh wicket. Very good batting.

The visitors will probably need to pick up the pace a bit more in the morning if they are to give themselves a reasonable chance of victory, but they're going the right way about giving themselves an opportunity.

'A good batting exercise for the three days'

Roland Butcher

Former Middlesex and England batter on BBC Radio London

You've got to reassure that you don't want to open the game up at all, so Middlesex will definitely come out and bat tomorrow.

What we've seen in both innings is good partnerships developed by both teams. Very few players have actually missed out.

I think Zain-ul-Hassan will be the one most aggrieved because on this pitch he just got the five runs. When you look at the rest of the scorecard - Root 67, Northeast 335, 77 for Carlson, Ingram 132. He will feel that he has missed the boat because he had the first opportunity.

An excellent batting pitch, not much in it for the bowlers, either fast or slow.

So a good batting exercise for the three days.

All of a sudden, Somerset are up to 350 and have collected another batting bonus point.

Four overs remaining on day three.

New ball taken by Northants

The Sussex onslaught continues as Danny Lamb scoops Chris Tremain over the keeper for four.

He gets a single off the second ball and Hudson-Prentice is forward to swipe a short ball through mid wicket.

Four more whipped through wide mid on.

Ben Sanderson is on with the new ball.

50 for Fynn Hudson-Prentice

Justin Broad bowls to Danny Lamb, who gets a tight single through to extra cover.

Shot! Fynn Hudson-Prentice moves to 45 (off 36 balls) with a sumptuous extra cover drive for four.

Lamb is almost off balance as he stays in the crease with a swing and miss at a wide ball from Broad. But he taps a slower ball through point for a single and Hudson-Prentice completes a 38-ball 50 with four lofted to long off.

He has 15 career fifties now, 10 fours and a six in that innings.

for James Rew

A beautiful drive through the covers off Matt Parkinson takes James Rew to his half-century off 51 balls.

He came in at a difficult time and has accelerated nicely to reach that milestone.

Approaching 18:30 at Canterbury, it might just be the best weather of the day! The sun is out and Somerset are making the most of it, steadily accumulating runs to stretch their lead over Kent.

James Rew hits his sixth boundary, to add to his solitary six, to move on to 43 not out.

'A strange part of the game'

Adrian Harms

BBC Sussex

A strange part of the game, we're coming up to the new ball and I imagine to a certain extent that Luke Procter's options are slightly limited.

He won't want to bowl Ben Sanderson and Chris Tremain at this particular stage.

Lamb dropped on 25 in Sussex surge

Can Rob Keogh break through or stem the rapid flow of runs?

Danny Lamb is playing some high-risk shots, missing a switch hit and surviving an lbw shout. Then he gets away with a pull to mid wicket which Ben Sanderson gets a hand to but can't pouch.

Fynn Hudson-Prentice hammers the fifth ball through wide mid on for four and smashes the sixth over extra cover for six! 13 off the over.

Close of play at Lord's

Rex Features

An excellent response on day three to Glamorgan's mammoth total and Sam Northeast's historic 335.

Middlesex have added 322 runs, with Ryan Higgins unbeaten on 125, for the loss of only four wickets to go a long way towards drawing this match.

As it is, they trail by 160 runs and need 11 to avoid the follow-on.

With only eight wickets having fallen in three days, the bowlers will surely be glad to see the back of this pitch!