Alex Hoad
BBC Sport at Canterbury

Image source, Alex Hoad

A cooler, calmer and greyer morning at the Spitfire Ground St Lawrence, but I'm not sure that will last beyond 11:00 BST.

Somerset have six overs remaining to chase down a fourth batting bonus point while Kent can claim a maximum third bowling bonus point if they can pick up two more wickets in those 36 deliveries.

Though a draw remains by far the most likely outcome after losing more 100 overs of this match to a wet outfield and bad light on the opening two days, if Somerset were able to double their 90-run lead this morning with their remaining three wickets, then Kent could yet face a potentially uncomfortable final afternoon.

The best game today must surely be at Trent Bridge.

Essex lead by 289 with two wickets left. They will want to push on and get as many as they can.

But with Sam Cook, Jamie Porter and Simon Harmer in their attack, they already have a good total to defend.

Yet with England opener Ben Duckett in Notts' batting, the hosts will not feel any potential target is insurmountable.

There was an inspection at 09:45 BST and the umpires have called a further inspection at 11:00 at Headingley.

It was not raining, so hopefully there is the prospect of some play in Leeds and even more so, the prospect of Harry Brook batting for Yorkshire.

We've already had one here this morning, at 10:00 BST.

This has been the unluckiest shire of all in this opening round, bar Derbyshire, who have already been forced to abandon their home match without a ball bowled.

The problem is there's more rain forecast shortly after this inspection.

But might the forecast be wrong?

Andrew Radd
BBC Radio Northampton

Image source, Andrew Radd

Plenty of cloud around on the south coast this morning, but a prompt start is expected on the fourth day between Sussex and Northamptonshire here at Hove.

The hosts enjoyed a terrific final session yesterday, nearly doubling their score - from 176-3 to 351-6 - between tea and an early close because of bad light. They now trail Northamptonshire by just 20 with at least one more batting bonus point within reach.

Tom Haines starred with his 10th first-class century, having also scored one the last time these two sides met in the Championship three years ago. For their part, Northamptonshire were delighted to see wicketkeeper and red-ball vice-captain Lewis McManus make his first half-century in the competition since 2022 - reward for taking himself off the India to work on his game during the winter.

Rain in Manchesterpublished at 10:52 British Summer Time 8 April

10:52 BST 8 April

Lancashire 202 v Surrey 15-0 - delayed start

The rain is coming down at Old Trafford and there is no sign of a prompt start this morning.

There must be a doubt as to whether the players will return as we have had plenty of rain since we stopped playing yesterday.

Image source, BBC Sport

We've already lost one of our scheduled nine games for the day.

Derbyshire's Division Two game with Gloucestershire has been called off, with no play possible during the four scheduled days.

A decision to abandon the match was taken at 09:45 BST on Monday because of a wet outfield. Both sides have taken eight points from the match.

A disappointing way for these sides to start the new season.

Division One:

• Durham v Hampshire - match yet to begin, inspection at 11:00 BST
• 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 abandoned
• Middlesex 460-5 v Glamorgan 620-3 dec
• Sussex 351-6 v Northamptonshire 371
• Yorkshire 72-2 v Leicestershire 354 - inspection at 11:00 BST

For the first eight rounds of the County Championship season, matches will run from Friday to Monday.

We know the weather has not been too kind this week, but what do we have in store today?

Well, Nottinghamshire need to take two final Essex wickets before embarking on a chase of around 300. With Bazball specialist Ben Duckett in their ranks, Notts may fancy their chances.

Meanwhile, hopefully England batter Harry Brook will get a chance in the middle with Yorkshire.

Wherever the story is, we'll be across it as we hope for a bit of cricketing Monday madness!