Live coverage of the latest round of LV= County Championship matches as four games get under way in both Division One and Division Two.
By Dominic Farrell
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11.15am - The first wicket of the day goes down at Lord’s, where Tim Murtagh has encouraged Alex Lees to edge behind for two. Kane Williamson is the new batsman and Yorkshire are six for one.
Meanwhile, a combination of bad light and drizzle has them back inside at Wantage Road. Lancashire are three without loss.
11.05am - The plans for an 11.30am start between Gloucestershire and Essex now look somewhat ambitious as it’s raining again at Bristol.
The @Middlesex_CCC boys 'huddle' before they take to the field @HomeOfCricket against @Yorkshireccc#MiddxYorkspic.twitter.com/RP4Z5vsFsS
— Middlesex Cricket (@Middlesex_CCC) April 27, 2014
10.59am - The teams have emerged from their respective pavilions and we’re about to get cracking. Given how the tosses have gone, it is certainly not unreasonable to expect early wickets.
We have the exclusive with @GaleyLad on why he has dropped himself from the side today. Listen now. https://t.co/qqhPZdoVZ9#YCCC
— Yorkshire CCC (@Yorkshireccc) April 27, 2014
@Gloscricket v @EssexCricket Toss at 11.00 am - start of play delayed at the #BristolCountyGround . Updates to follow throughout the morning
— Gloucestershire CCC (@Gloscricket) April 27, 2014
10.43am - The big story at Lord’s is the decision of Yorkshire captain Andrew Gale to make way in order to accommodate returning England batsman Joe Root, who will skipper the side.
10.40am - Here’s the news from the tosses around the county. Four are yet to take place and four teams have been asked to bat - that probably gives you a decent idea of the conditions we are dealing with!
Division One
Middlesex have won the toss and will field against Yorkshire at Lord’s.
Northamptonshire have won the toss and asked Lancashire to bat first at Wantage Road.
Nottinghamshire have won the toss and invited Warwickshire to post a total at Trent Bridge.
The toss for the game between Sussex and Somerset at the BrightonandHoveJobs.com County Ground has been delayed due to rain. There will be an inspection at 11.30am.
The toss has been made. #YCCC have lost the toss and @Middlesex_CCC will have a bowl. pic.twitter.com/miurn5c9Ji
— Yorkshire CCC (@Yorkshireccc) April 27, 2014
Division Two
Gloucestershire and Essex must wait to toss the coin due to inclement weather at Bristol.
Hampshire and Surrey have been similarly unable to get away on time at the Ageas Bowl.
Glamorgan have won the toss at Grace Road and asked hosts Leicestershire to bat.
Rain has also delayed the toss for the game between Worcestershire and Derbyshire at New Road, where there will be no play before lunch.
@Gloscricket v @EssexCricket#LVCC We have a pitch inspection this morning at 10.30 am - news on play will follow asap after that
— Gloucestershire CCC (@Gloscricket) April 27, 2014
10.24am - Along with the bad news below from New Road, we’re also facing a delayed start at the BrightonandHoveJobs.com County Ground where the covers are still on.
The Middlesex & @Yorkshireccc squads warmjng up ahead of today's game. Weather looking ok for now #MiddxYorkspic.twitter.com/nl7FHsmtH1
— Middlesex Cricket (@Middlesex_CCC) April 27, 2014
WEATHER UPDATE: News at New Road is that there will be an inspection at 11am, but it's still very wet. Play before Lunch unlikely #WORvDER
— Derbyshire CCC (@DerbyshireCCC) April 27, 2014
10.15am - Unfortunately there is a fair bit of rain in their air so we are unlikely to get cracking on time in all eight matches. Here they are in full:
Division One
Middlesex v Yorkshire
Northamptonshire v Lancashire
Nottinghamshire v Warwickshire
Sussex v Somerset
Division Two
Gloucestershire v Essex
Hampshire v Surrey
Leicestershire v Glamorgan
Worcestershire v Derbyshire
Good morning from Trent Bridge where the Bears face Notts in their next LVCC match #YouBearspic.twitter.com/CEXWR1qK9O
— Warwickshire CCC (@CricketingBears) April 27, 2014
10.05am - Good morning and welcome to our live coverage of the latest round of LV= County Championship matches. We have a full schedule today, with four games getting under way in both Division One and Division Two.
Check out our preview for the top flight, as Lancashire captain and club stalwart Glen Chapple takes on first-team coaching duties for the first time at Northamptonshire.
In Division Two, Saeed Ajmal's return to Worcestershire could spell bad news for Derbyshire, while England captain Alastair Cook will look to continue his purple patch with Essex at Gloucestershire.