Coverage of day two of the LV= County Championship season, where Nottinghamshire's bowlers hit back emphatically against Lancashire at Trent Bridge amid rain dominating the agenda across the country.
By Rob Barnett and Dominic Farrell
5.45pm - Here's the state of play at stumps around the grounds. Thanks for reading and here's to blue skies tomorrow.
Lancashire are 77 for six in response to Nottinghamshire’s first innings 272 at Trent Bridge. Seamer Jake Ball opened his County Championship account with 2-25 as the hosts shared the wickets around.
No play was possible at the BrightonandHoveJobs.com County Ground, where Sussex are 86 for three - 19 behind Middlesex’s day one 105 all out. Matt Prior is 32 not out and will look to kick on should he be given the opportunity tomorrow.
Division Two
Surrey progressed to 209 for seven during what little play was possible at the Kia Oval against Glamorgan. Visiting wicketkeeper Mark Wallace was responsible for both wickets to fall today in his 200th consecutive championship appearance. Jim Allenby was the beneficiary of catches behind on both occasions to move his impressive figures to 4-39, while overnight half-centurion Zafar Ansari remains unbeaten on 60.
Rain meant no action all day at the Ageas Bowl, with hosts Hampshire 37 for three against Worcestershire.
5.20pm - THAT'S ALL FOLKS! Shortly after groundstaff at the Kia Oval admitted defeat, play was also called off for the day at Trent Bridge. It's safe to say a rampaging Nottinghamshire attack will view the latter news in contrasting fashion to the remaining Lancashire batsmen.
We'll have a premature close-of-play summary with you shortly. In the meantime, here are our reports from the BrightonandHoveJobs.com County Ground and the Ageas Bowl. There's not a ball bowled in either so it shouldn't take you too long!
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Afraid to say the rain has got heavier and @johnnybarran is not happy @BBCLondonSportpic.twitter.com/CwLiNVwo6y
— Surrey Cricket (@surreycricket) April 7, 2014
4.54pm - While all concerned take shelter at Trent Bridge, we have some news that will delight Durham fans. Seamer Graham Onions has signed a new contract to remain with his home county until the end of 2017.
It's hosing down at Trent Bridge now.
— Lancashire CCC (@LancsCCC) April 7, 2014
4.38pm - ecb.co.uk’s Matt Somerford at Nottinghamshire (272) v Lancashire (77/6): Lancashire are in real danger of having to follow on with tea having been taken slightly early due to further rain. If we do get more play after the break, Notts will surely enforce the follow-on if Lancashire do not get past the 123 mark.
4.32pm - Steven Mullaney might have been out cheaply at the top of the order yesterday, but that was an ideal start to the season for the Nottinghamshire all-rounder with ball in hand. His first over of medium pace today has piled further woes on his former club.
Mullaney bowls Davies. Lancashire 69-6. #NottsvLancs
— Nottinghamshire CCC (@TrentBridge) April 7, 2014
Current scene pic.twitter.com/yx4cagEYGV
— Surrey Cricket (@surreycricket) April 7, 2014
4.12pm - ecb.co.uk’s Matt Somerford at Nottinghamshire (272) v Lancashire (63/5): Ball has his second championship wicket now trapping Luke Procter in front. It was an all-sorts over with five wides down leg-side and then a cut for four before Procter was hit on the front pad in defence.
Play has been abandoned on day two without a ball being bowled. The good news is the weather is expected to improve tomorrow!
— Hampshire Cricket (@hantscricket) April 7, 2014
3.55pm – Jake Ball makes Prince his first championship wicket as the former South Africa batsman is caught behind for 16, leaving Lancs 47 for four in response to Notts’ 272.
Raining again here at The Kia Oval.
— Glamorgan Cricket (@GlamCricket) April 7, 2014
Agathangelou gone! He's been bowled leaving alone at Carter, 17. Lancs are 33-3. #NottsvLancs
— Lancashire CCC (@LancsCCC) April 7, 2014
Some good news..we are looking at a 16:05 start and 39 overs left in the day @GlamCricket@BBCLondonSport@BBCRadioWales
— Surrey Cricket (@surreycricket) April 7, 2014
3.15pm – Andrea Agathangelou and Ashwell Prince are steadily laying the foundations of a Lancashire recovery. The Red Rose after 27 for two. The pitch was lively after the covers went off but seems to be settling down now.
Umpires inspecting at The Oval where it has stopped raining and the covers are still on.
— Glamorgan Cricket (@GlamCricket) April 7, 2014
2.55pm – It’s raining again at the Ageas Bowl and the Kia Oval.
The Derbyshire flag flying at half mast today at The 3aaa County Ground in memory of Tom Poynton's father, Keith. pic.twitter.com/1luzAdHWoG
— Derbyshire CCC (@DerbyshireCCC) April 7, 2014
Reece gone! He's been caught behind by Read off Gurney. Lancs are 4-2. #NottsvLancs
— Lancashire CCC (@LancsCCC) April 7, 2014
2.35pm - ecb.co.uk’s Matt Somerford at Nottinghamshire (272) v Lancashire (4/1): Stand-in Lancashire captain Paul Horton has been trapped lbw by Luke Fletcher for a 22-ball duck. This looks a very tricky pitch after all that rain. Notts should be happy with their total.
Umpires inspection will take place at 2:30 at @TheAgeasBowl
— Hampshire Cricket (@hantscricket) April 7, 2014
2.20pm – Lancashire’s reply has started. While we wait for developments from Trent Bridge, here’s news of four England Women players making the World Twenty20 Select XI.
2.05pm – ecb.co.uk’s Matt Somerford at Nottinghamshire (272ao) v Lancashire: After all of that it took four balls before Nottinghamshire were bowled out. Kabir Ali locates the off stump of last man Harry Gurney as he pressed forward.
Weather permitting, play will resume at 2pm, with 67 overs remaining in the day. #NottsvLancs
— Nottinghamshire CCC (@TrentBridge) April 7, 2014
1.50pm – That’s disappointing new from the BrightonandHoveJobs.com County Ground. Sussex remain 86 for three, with Matt Prior on 32 and Matt Machan 21, in reply to Middlesex’s paltry 105.
PLAY HAS BEEN ABANDONED FOR THE DAY AT HOVE #GOSBTS
— Sussex CCC (@SussexCCC) April 7, 2014
1.30pm - ecb.co.uk’s Matt Somerford at Nottinghamshire (270/9) v Lancashire: Bad news. The umpires have inspected and the rain has returned. That has forced the big hover cover to return while the run-ups are also being protected. The players have stopped warming up too.
1.25pm – It’s raining again at the Kia Oval so lunch is being taken with Surrey 209 for seven. Ansari has 60 and Stuart Meaker nine.
Raining heavily again now at Hove. Nothing official but it is a very bleak picture for today as a whole I'm afraid #GOSBTS
— Sussex CCC (@SussexCCC) April 7, 2014
Exclusive interviews with @Liam628 , @lythy09 and @BrooksyFerret secured today. Check out http://t.co/LlQHoYJgss over the coming weeks.
— England Cricket (@ECB_cricket) April 7, 2014
Play expected to start at 1.30pm #LVCC
— Lancashire CCC (@LancsCCC) April 7, 2014
12.55pm –Play is back under way at Surrey where Tom Curren falls to Allenby for nought, making the score 193 for six.
There will be a further inspection at 13.10, with a view to hopefully resuming at half past the hour #NottsvLancs
— Nottinghamshire CCC (@TrentBridge) April 7, 2014
12.40pm –Less than four overs are possible at the Kia Oval before bad light forces the players off. In the last over Jim Allenby had Roy caught behind for 15, the seamer’s third wicket. Ansari is unbeaten on 55 in a score of 193 for six.
Unfortunately, the rain is getting heavier at The Ageas Bowl. It doesn't look too promising, but we will keep you updated.
— Hampshire Cricket (@hantscricket) April 7, 2014
12.30pm - ecb.co.uk’s Matt Somerford at Nottinghamshire (270/9) v Lancashire: The groundstaff have begun to remove the covers at Trent Bridge. Lunch is being taken and there is little to no rain about. That said, it will probably take a while to get the outfield fit for purpose so any play could still be over an hour away.
4 of #LVCC Div 1s 7 highest run-scorers in 2013 played for @SussexCCC or @Middlesex_CCC: Robson, Joyce, Nash & Rogers pic.twitter.com/ulN3eR2aR2
— England Cricket (@ECB_cricket) April 7, 2014
12.20pm – We have action! Play has started at the Kia Oval where Surrey resume on 182 for five against Glamorgan with Zafar Ansar on 50 and Jason Roy 10.
12.15pm – Of course, there was meant to be a fifth game this week, but Leicestershire versus Derbyshire was postponed as a mark of respect after Derbyshire wicketkeeper Tom Poynton was involved in a serious road accident on Friday in which his father, Keith, was killed. There is encouraging news on the health of Tom, who has been discharged from hospital.
"RT @MFJSpeaker: Lord's 200 years. Nothing more need be said @homeofcricketpic.twitter.com/3BtXsaX88f"#Lords200
— Lord's Ground (@HomeOfCricket) April 7, 2014
12.30 start and while we wait WATCH the highlights of the opening day http://t.co/nACxjRF3Z9@GlamCricket
— Surrey Cricket (@surreycricket) April 7, 2014
12pm – While the toing and froing continues at the Kia Oval, unfortunately there is no positive news from the other three grounds.
.@Yorkshireccc pose for photos in their new kit. pic.twitter.com/zJvneiDm8Y
— England Cricket (@ECB_cricket) April 7, 2014
Latest is - start at 12.20 and lunch will be at 1.30 @GlamCricket@BBCLondonSport@BBCRadioWales
— Surrey Cricket (@surreycricket) April 7, 2014
11.45am – ecb.co.uk’s Matt Somerford at Nottinghamshire (270/9) v Lancashire: The umpires have called an early lunch for 12.15pm with the covers having not moved from the Trent Bridge centre wicket this morning. The rain does appear to have stopped so there is hope of action at some point today, but probably not until after 1pm.
Covers are back on @GlamCricket@BBCLondonSport@BBCRadioWalespic.twitter.com/f4LHij1NuT
— Surrey Cricket (@surreycricket) April 7, 2014
Raining again at The Kia Oval and the covers are coming back on.
— Glamorgan Cricket (@GlamCricket) April 7, 2014
11.30am – Amid the good news from the Kia Oval, you can share Sri Lanka’s joy at beating India in the men’s World Twenty20 final. It was a fitting end to the Twenty20 international careers of Mahela Jayawardene and Kumar Sangakkara, who was man of the match for his unbeaten 52.
Wouldn't want to end it with any other person! What an innings last night @KumarSanga2 ..this is for all the fans! pic.twitter.com/0qfXqXMbmA
— Mahela Jayawardena (@MahelaJay) April 7, 2014
Play to start at 12noon at The Kia Oval - eight overs lost
— Glamorgan Cricket (@GlamCricket) April 7, 2014
11.15am – While we wait for news on the prospects of play, it’s also an opportunity to look back at England Women’s World Twenty20 title bid. Here’s our blog and report featuring highlights, some reaction from Charlotte Edwards and Clare Connor plus a story on Anya Shrubsole being named player of the tournament.
Much more promising...inspection now pic.twitter.com/KndHuoRenl
— Surrey Cricket (@surreycricket) April 7, 2014
11am – Bad news folks! There are rain-delayed starts in all four contests. Why not take the opportunity to catch up on an intriguing opening day of the season here with mixed fortunes for several England players? There are links to the individual match reports, which have video highlights of the action.
10.50am –The main county news this morning is England batsman Joe Root has extended his contract with Yorkshire until December 2016. The White Rose have announced the news on their media day, which our man Callum Dent is attending. Looks wet at Headingley too.
Lovely day at Headingley! pic.twitter.com/opCkwyojui
— Callum Dent (@cdent31) April 7, 2014
10.35am – Good morning and welcome to our blog on day two of the LV= County Championship campaign. Here’s how this week’s four games stand:
Division One
Nottinghamshire are 270 for nine, having been 20 for three, against Lancashire at Trent Bridge. The Red Rose’s James Anderson took five wickets, while Samit Patel scored 92 and Alex Hales added 61 for the hosts.
Sussex are 86 for three at the BrightonandHoveJobs.com County Ground having dismissed Middlesex for 105. Jon Lewis took four wickets for the hosts while Matt Prior reached the close unbeaten on 32 after shaking off an Achilles problem to play.
Division Two
Surrey reached 182 for five after being inserted by Glamorgan at the Kia Oval. Steven Davies hit 67 while Zafar Ansari was unbeaten on 50 at the close.
Hampshire are 37 for three after only 8.5 overs were possible at the Ageas Bowl. Chris Russell took two scalps for Worcestershire, while Jimmy Adams hit 32 of his side’s runs.
It's raining again at Trent Bridge, although not too heavy. Covers are on. #LVCC
— Lancashire CCC (@LancsCCC) April 7, 2014
A soggy scene at Hove.. #GOSBTSpic.twitter.com/QykZZKw4fE
— Sussex CCC (@SussexCCC) April 7, 2014
Still raining at The Kia Oval - start delayed
— Glamorgan Cricket (@GlamCricket) April 7, 2014
Not looking good for day 2 @hantscricket v @WorcsCCCpic.twitter.com/J4MvQovoP7
— Dave Bradley (@braddersatbbc) April 7, 2014