Recap day one of the last round of 2014 LV= County Championship games as Lancashire dismissed Middlesex for 214 in a relegation decider and Essex built a lead over Worcestershire to pressure Hampshire for the final promotion place.
By Rob Barnett, Callum Dent & Will Jackson
6.20pm - As promised, here's the state of play across the country:
Middlesex, needing six points to stay up and relegate Lancashire, struggled to 214 all out at Emirates Old Trafford, scraping a vital bonus point through a determined last-wicket partnership to frustrate the hosts.
Champions Yorkshire suffered something of a hangover on the first day against Somerset at Headingley. They reached 241 for nineat stumps, Alex Lees the stand-out performer with 83.
Durham were dismissed for 201 against Warwickshire at Edgbaston. Keith Barker extracted some revenge for Saturday's loss in the Royal London One-Day Cup final with 5-59 before the hosts reached 77 for one at the close.
Sussex reached 300 for seven against relegated Northamptonshire at Wantage Road. Luke Wells made 81 as the visitors fought back from a difficult first session, when Muhammad Azhar Ullah took three wickets.
Promotion-chasing Essex skittled leaders Worcestershire for 84 at the Essex County Ground. Jesse Ryder took five wickets in as many overs before the hosts reached 198 for three at the close, a lead of 114, with Nick Browne posting an unbeaten century.
James Vince and Sean Ervine hit hundreds to rescue second-placed Hampshire at the SWALEC Stadium against Glamorgan. The visitors were struggling on 53 for five before Vince and Ervine shared 225 to lift their side to 357 all out.
Gloucestershire were dismissed for 179 on a day when 14 wickets fell at the Spitfire Ground. Mitchell Claydon took 5-61 but Kent struggled in reply, reaching 83 for four.
Ben Slater hit a maiden first-class century as Derbyshire posted 289 against Leicestershire at the 3aaa County Ground, where Cheteshwar Pujara had earlier been given out handled the ball. The visitors lost two late wickets as they reached 25 for two at the close.
5.57pm - ecb.co.uk’s Matt Somerford at Lancashire v Middlesex (214): Play has officially been abandoned for the day here after the Manchester heavens opened. It is a near-perfect start for Lancashire's quest to stay up though and they will come back in the morning with the task of batting all day tomorrow.
Hampshire have been bowled out for 357 after some more-than-useful runs from Imran Tahir.
MILESTONE! Mark Footitt now has 100 wickets in all competitions in 2014! Well bowled Mark! #P2bD#DerbyshireLaLaLapic.twitter.com/NWxqvY1WDi
— Derbyshire CCC (@DerbyshireCCC) September 23, 2014
5.35pm - The Derbyshire innings has been wrapped up with Charlie Shreck beating the defences of Cotton to upset his timbers with the score on 289.
Wood hit a quickfire 35 for Hampshire, but his wicket means they are still 15 runs shy of the 350 mark.
Stumps have been called at Headingley, the Essex County Ground and Wantage Road. We will round up the scores for you once all games are finished.
WICKET! Back on at Edgbaston and @VarunAaron has Westwood caught behind for 30. Warwickshire are 76-1.
— Durham Cricket Club (@DurhamCricket) September 23, 2014
5.27pm - Hampshire lose an eighth wicket in Matt Coles with 313 on the board. Some lusty hitting from Chris Wood could yet drag them to a fourth batting point.
Browne has reached a century for Essex. The left-hander has helped the first innings-lead move into three figures.
Leicestershire have picked up the wicket of Tony Palladino after a frustrating ninth-wicket stand between him and Ben Cotton.
Bad light has delayed the start of the Lancs innings. More overs will be lost of the 21 that were left when then innings was due to start.
— Middlesex Cricket (@Middlesex_CCC) September 23, 2014
5.11pm - Hampshire's chances of posting a big score in their first innings appear to have suffered quite a blow as Ervine edges Graham Wagg behind for 107. They are now 310 for seven.
Sidebottom gone! Leach has bowled him, and it's 213-9.
— Yorkshire CCC (@Yorkshireccc) September 23, 2014
5.02pm - ecb.co.uk’s Matt Somerford at Lancashire v Middlesex (214): Middlesex are bowled out with Jos Buttler plucking a one-handed catch from Ravi Patel's edge. It has almost gone perfectly to script for Lancashire - save for that one batting bonus point. A good day, however, would only be confirmed by not losing more than a couple of wickets before the close.
Brendan Nash is the 13th wicket to fall at the Spitfire Ground today. He's been trapped in front by Benny Howell and is quickly followed back to the pavilion by Sam Northeast for just two.
Play is back under way at Headingley after a lengthy period off for bad light. 18 overs are due to be bowled before the close although I think the light may have drawn in by then.
Century for @slug_7! His second ton in as many weeks! Hampshire are now 304-6. #LVCCpic.twitter.com/oiHawZp9O8
— Hampshire Cricket (@hantscricket) September 23, 2014
4.43pm - ecb.co.uk’s Matt Somerford at Lancashire v Middlesex (200/9): James Harris whips Junaid Khan away to the square-leg rope and brings up the first batting bonus point. That boundary is virtually worth 50 more than that for Middlesex. The reason? Lancashire will now have to score 350, rather than 300, to keep their survival hopes alive.
Ben Brown has fallen to Stone at Wantage Road to leave Sussex 248 for seven and James Vince's excellent knock of 144 is brought to an end by Kieran Bull.
Wicket Bell-Drummond run out 15. Kent 29/2 (18 overs) Nash 5* Northeast 0* #KENvGLO
— Kent Cricket (@kentcricket) September 23, 2014
4.21pm - Lancashire have a crucial third bowling bonus point, with Middlesex still 20 runs shy of their first batting point. What a day it has been for Chapple and his men.
Hampshire have passed 250, with the partnership between Ervine and Vince going beyond 200.
4.15pm - ecb.co.uk’s Matt Somerford at Lancashire v Middlesex (178/8): Can Middlesex limp over the line for their first batting bonus point? They started the day knowing six bonus points would keep them up. At the minute they don't look like getting any for their efforts with the bat. Lancashire, meanwhile, are a wicket away from all three bowling points. Middlesex need 22 runs to get to that first point and the tailenders look like they want to get there with boundaries.
BAD LIGHT! Derbyshire were making good progress but the players are now going off for bad light with the score 278-8 (71) #DERvLEI
— Derbyshire CCC (@DerbyshireCCC) September 23, 2014
4.11pm - Moeen Ali has snared Ravi Bopara at the Essex County Ground and Chapple moves Lancashire to within one wicket of a third bonus point with the dismissal of John Simpson.
4.02pm - They're off for bad light at Headingley, with Yorkshire on 212 with just two wickets remaining, while Nick Browne has gone past fifty in a vital knock for Essex, who have taken the lead.
Missed chanced, Harris edges between 1st & 2nd slip off Chapple. Simpson attacking with 3 fours, Middlesex 165-7 in 57th over #LanvMid
— Lancashire CCC (@LancsCCC) September 23, 2014
3.54pm - David Payne gets Fabian Cowdrey with his first ball of the innings to reduce Kent to 14 for one.
3.39pm - They're doing the hokey-cokey in Manchester as Luke Procter bowls just one delivery before the players are whisked off due to rain in the air.
Ben Slater has fallen shortly after the tea break for Derbyshire, snaffled by Greg Smith at slip for 104.
Tea has finally been callen at the SWALEC Stadium, with Hampshire going well on 233 for five.
WICKET - Durham all out for 201 with Rankin bowling Aaron for 2. #YouBears
— Warwickshire CCC (@CricketingBears) September 23, 2014
3.26pm - ecb.co.uk’s Matt Somerford at Lancashire v Middlesex (137/7): We are going to start at 3.35pm - which is right on the cut-off not to lose any overs today. That's good news and, as ever, the news to prompt the guys with the rope to get to work.
Chris Rushworth offers a return catch to Jeetan Patel to leave Durham on the brink in Birmingham.
Sussex reach tea at 192 for six, Yorkshire are 206 for eight, Derbyshire are 235 for seven and Essex, trailing Worcestershire by two, are 82 for two.
Patterson gone! He's been caught behind off Trego for 13. Yorks are 206-8.
— Yorkshire CCC (@Yorkshireccc) September 23, 2014
3.17pm - ecb.co.uk’s Matt Somerford at Lancashire v Middlesex (137/7): There is now a slight drizzle in the air so the covers are on. We will not start losing overs today until 3.35pm. The players went off at 2.45pm and, with the 20-minute tea break, followed by the added 30 minutes we're allowed, that takes us to the point where overs start being lost. If I were a betting man I'd suggest we're going to lose more overs than we bowl from now on.
3.12pm - Durham's Ryan Pringle follows Slater's lead and reaches a significant milestone. His maiden first-class half-century is keeping Warwickshire at bay at Edgbaston.
Wicket. White caught behind without scoring and Derbyshire are 228-7 (61.1); Palladino in next #DERvLEI
— Derbyshire CCC (@DerbyshireCCC) September 23, 2014
3.08pm - Slater celebrates his new contract by moving to his maiden first-class ton. The opening batsman has hit 15 fours in his 195-ball innings.
Mitchell Claydon has Liam Norwell caught behind to complete figures of 5-61 and finally dismiss Gloucestershire for 179. It's tea there now.
3.05pm - Teenager Harvey Hosein is the next Derbyshire batsman to depart. He becomes Ben Raine's second victim and the hosts at the 3aaa County Ground are now 222 for six. Slater is three short of a century.
WICKET..Wells goes for 81, Andrew Hall strikes now as Rossington takes the catch. Sussex 172 for 6 at Wantage Road #GOSBTS
— Sussex CCC (@SussexCCC) September 23, 2014
3pm - James Vince moves to three figures in Cardiff. The right-hander requires just 134 deliveries to reach the milestone and moves Hampshire along to 196 for five. His stand with Sean Ervine is now at 143.
Payne moves to fifty and Gloucestershire, nine wickets down, keep going at the Spitfire Ground.
Northants seamer Olly Stone breaks the 96-run partnership between Wells and Yardy when the latter departs for 56.
Essex 68 for 2 Nick Browne 41, Ravi Bopara 9. The deficit is just 16. #EssvWor
— Essex Cricket (@EssexCricket) September 23, 2014
2.50pm - ecb.co.uk’s Matt Somerford at Lancashire v Middlesex (137/7): We're off for bad light and tea is taken. The umpires meet for the second time in the past 10 minutes and with the tower lights taking over the players are headed off. I can't see much encouragement in the sky either for a quick resumption. Lancashire clap Procter off after his four wickets have boosted belief that survival is a realistic possibility.
Kent finally secure Gloucestershire's ninth wicket with the score on 152. Adam Riley accounts for Craig Miles for 48, ending a stand of 90 with David Payne.
WICKET - Clarke traps Wood lbw for 16. Durham 154-8 #YouBears
— Warwickshire CCC (@CricketingBears) September 23, 2014
2.44pm - Michael Yardy has a half-century to his name at Wantage Road. His partnership of 87 with Wells is frustrating Northamptonshire.
2.41pm - Posting commanding totals has been a common occurrence in Yorkshire's championship-winning campaign. They are struggling today, though, with Richard Pyrah's dismissal to Tim Groenewald leaving them 181 for seven.
WICKET! Roland-Jones trapped lbw for 0 by @vvsprocter who now has 4 wickets. Middlesex 134-7 (49.2ov) #LanvMid
— Lancashire CCC (@LancsCCC) September 23, 2014
2.26pm - ecb.co.uk’s Matt Somerford at Lancashire v Middlesex (134/6): Lancashire have a second bowling bonus point. Neil Dexter drops the script and aims a flashy stroke off Luke Procter straight to Ashwell Prince in the gully. Middlesex are in danger of not getting any batting bonus points which would ramp up the intrigue. They are 66 runs away from the first of six bonus points needed to confirm their safety.
Durham are 121 for seven when Gareth Breese departs for a stubborn 26 off 102 balls at Edgbaston.
Wicket. Hughes goes without scoring, lbw to Sheikh; Derbyshire 186-5 (47.1); Hosein in next #DERvLEI
— Derbyshire CCC (@DerbyshireCCC) September 23, 2014
2.15pm - Lancashire snare another at Emirates Old Trafford. Morgan's watchful 72-ball 25 reaches its conclusion when he tickles Tom Bailey behind.
Champions Yorkshire are collapsing after lunch at Headingley. The White Rose slip to 177 for six when Adil Rashid departs for a 10-ball duck.
2.11pm - Durston's 124-run partnership with Ben Slater, who today signed a new contract, ends when he becomes a first scalp for left-arm spinner James Sykes. Durston's 52 lifts his side to 186 for four at the 3aaa County Ground.
Fifty for @slug_7 ! Brilliant knock alongside Vince (67*). The pair have moved Hampshire to 148-5 after 40 overs. #LVCC
— Hampshire Cricket (@hantscricket) September 23, 2014
2.04pm - ecb.co.uk’s Matt Somerford at Lancashire v Middlesex (115/4): Junaid Khan is nearing the end of his second hour-long spell of the day already. The Pakistan seamer is yet to take a wicket despite probably deserving one. He's found movement off this wicket, but credit to Middlesex for their patience. Eoin Morgan is presently holding that slow-burning candle with 21 from 63 balls.
1.58pm - Trego gets another at Headingley and it's the big wicket of Alex Lees. The opening batsman edges behind to depart for 83 of Yorkshire's 173 for five.
Derbyshire's Wes Durston is the third half-centurion of the afternoon.
100 PARTNERSHIP! @BennySlats (74*) and @Wjdurston3 (44*) stand now worth 100 runs for fourth wicket. Derbyshire 162-3 (40) #DERvLEI #P2bD
— Derbyshire CCC (@DerbyshireCCC) September 23, 2014
1.45pm - Glen Chapple gets one to lift at Joe Denly, on 38, and the right-hander edges to Steven Croft in the cordon to leave Middlesex 105 for four.
Charles Morris now gets in on the act at the Essex County Ground, removing Greg Smith to reduce the hosts to 26 for two.
Sussex opening batsman Luke Wells raises his bat for fifty at Wantage Road.
1.34pm - Yorkshire are 132 for four as Peter Trego, in his ninth over, bowls Jonny Bairstow at Headingley.
Fifty for @vincey14 ! Top knock - Hampshire are now 107-5, Ervine (30*). #LVCC
— Hampshire Cricket (@hantscricket) September 23, 2014
1.25pm - Durham slip to 78 for six when Keith Barker has Michael Richardson caught behind to complete his five-wicket haul.
Essex lose a first wicket in reply to Worcestershire's 84, Tom Westley run out cheaply.
1,204 - James Vince (1,204) has hit the most boundary runs in county cricket 2014 (all competitions). Entertainers. pic.twitter.com/aXcUgfW1el
— OptaJim (@OptaJim) September 23, 2014
12.50pm – As promised, here are the lunch scores. A whopping 41 wickets have fallen on a morning when six skippers chose to bat first!
Middlesex , needing six points to stay up and relegate Lancashire , are 86 for three at Emirates Old Trafford.
Champions Yorkshire are 112 for three versus Somerset at Headingley with Alex Lees unbeaten on 53.
At Edgbaston Durham are 66 for five against Warwickshire , the team they beat in Saturday’s Royal London One-Day Cup final. Keith Barker has 4-23.
Sussex are 82 for four facing relegated Northamptonshire at Wantage Road.
Promotion-chasing Essex skittled leaders Worcestershire for 84 at the Essex County Ground, Jesse Ryder taking five wickets in as many overs.
Second-placed Hampshire are 91 for five versus Glamorgan at the SWALEC Stadium, Jim Allenby striking four times.
Gloucestershire are 62 for eight facing Kent at the Spitfire Ground, Mitchell Claydon with four of the victims.
Ben Slater has 61 of Derbyshire’s 120 for three against Leicestershire at the 3aaa County Ground where Cheteshwar Pujara was out handled the ball.
2 - From 2009 onwards @wgiddo & J. Allenby are the only 2 players to average above 30 with the bat & below 30 with the ball, 10+ wkts. Keys.
— OptaJim (@OptaJim) September 23, 2014
12.37pm – ecb.co.uk’s Matt Somerford at Lancashire v Middlesex (86/3): It is lunch here at Emirates Old Trafford and Middlesex will feel pretty content with their morning's work after Rogers opted to bat in conditions that looked suited to the bowlers. The clatter of wickets around the country suggests that was the case and, while it did seam and swing, the three wickets Middlesex lost is a solid return. Lancashire won't be disheartened by the morning though and if they had not dropped Rogers twice on his way to 33 it might have even been a rosier picture for them.
Stevens accounts for Benny Howell to make Gloucestershire 62 for eight at lunch . We’ll shortly bring you the other interval scores.
The Essex County Ground rises to applaud, after the home team bowled Worcestershire out for 84! https://t.co/TrN2ur9G6s
— Essex Cricket (@EssexCricket) September 23, 2014
12.30pm – Worcestershire are skittled for 84, quickly giving Essex maximum bowling points! Graham Napier halts an alliance of 45 between Joe Leach and Brett D’Oliveira, having the latter caught behind. Masters then takes a super caught and bowled to oust Leach for 39 and Napier bowls Jack Shantry to wrap things up.
Northants’ Azhar Ullah makes Luke Wright his third victim, making Sussex 76 for four.
Derbyshire’s Ben Slater becomes the day’s first half-centurion and is soon followed by Yorkshire’s Alex Lees. Shortly before Lees' milestone he saw Joe Root’s innings ends on 35 when he played on to Jamie Overton, breaking a third-wicket stand of 63.
The view from the stands here at the SWALEC. Hampshire are now 58/5. pic.twitter.com/Qakwf1Bc29
— Glamorgan Cricket (@GlamCricket) September 23, 2014
12.12pm – Allenby breaks through twice in two deliveries, Tom Alsop and Adam Wheater the men to go. Hampshire, chasing promotion, are 53 for five.
Gloucestershire slide to seven down, Calum Haggett getting in on the act.
Yorks 90-2 in the 26th over. Lees 38, Root 34. Their stand is 58 in 17 overs.
— Yorkshire CCC (@Yorkshireccc) September 23, 2014
WICKET! Procter bowls Rogers with a beauty! Middlesex 63-3 #LanvMid
— Lancashire CCC (@LancsCCC) September 23, 2014
12pm – Gloucestershire are 41 for six and Claydon has figures of 10-4-16-4. Ryder’s streak of wickets in consecutive overs comes to an end, but he has figures of 10-4-24-5.
India batsman Cheteshwar Pujara is out handled the ball , leaving Derbyshire 62 for three.
Hampshire lose skipper Jimmy Adams cheaply on his 34th birthday at 50 for three.
Sussex are 51 for three, Middlebrook striking on the morning his release has been announced .
That wicket marks 50 @LV_Cricket wickets for @mitchellclaydon in 2014! pic.twitter.com/6v5pzzGZPM
— Kent Cricket (@kentcricket) September 23, 2014
11.58am – ecb.co.uk’s Matt Somerford at Lancashire v Middlesex (60/2): Rogers is put down for the second time. Steven Croft can't hold on to a sharp chance at second slip after the Aussie slashed at fourth-gamer Tom Bailey. Rogers has been eager to attack the young quick and should have paid for it. He's been put down on 13 and 33 now. Lancashire surely can't afford that sort of generosity in their position.
39.3 - Of bowlers to take 40+ wickets in @LV_Cricket 2014, only Mark Footitt has a lower strike rate than Jesse Ryder's 39.3. Incisive.
— OptaJim (@OptaJim) September 23, 2014
11.44am – Ryder has five wickets in five overs , adding Tom Kohler-Cadmore and Ben Cox to his tally to leave Worcestershire toiling at 31 for seven.
Gloucestershire are now 29 for five, Stevens bagging his second scalp.
Lancashire’s Luke Procter strikes with his second ball, Dawid Malan edging to slip. Later in the over Rogers is almost run out, backing up, but gets his bat down just in time.
Root has had a couple of lives, dropped on 0 at second slip and 6 at point now. Groenewald the bowler.
— Yorkshire CCC (@Yorkshireccc) September 23, 2014
11.28am – ecb.co.uk’s Matt Somerford at Lancashire v Middlesex (39/1): This Junaid Khan v Chris Rogers battle has been a good watch and a nice little preview to their Test series next month. Junaid has found seam movement and should have had the Australian - Jos Buttler spilling that tough chance to his left. Rogers has been there almost an hour now though and, as ever, is digging a trench to vindicate his decision to bat. The sun is even starting to break through.
11.25am – Durham are 43 for five, Barker making Paul Collingwood his fourth victim as Warwickshire exact revenge for Saturday’s Lord’s final loss.
Division Two front-runners Worcestershire are 27 for four, Ryder bowling Alexei Kervezee for his third scalp.
Gloucestershire also slip to four down, Mitchell Claydon making a third breakthrough.
Wayne Madsen becomes the second man to go for Derbyshire.
Drop! Rogers edges Junaid but Buttler, diving low away to his left gets a glove to it but can't hang on. @Middlesex_CCC 30-1 #LanvMid
— Lancashire CCC (@LancsCCC) September 23, 2014
11.12am – Essex have a first bonus point, Jesse Ryder ousting Moeen Ali and Daryl Mitchell in consecutive overs.
Further good news for Essex is Hampshire losing Will Smith and Liam Dawson in a Jim Allenby over.
Durham are in worse trouble, Oliver Hannon-Dalby adding to Barker’s three wickets to leave the new Royal London One-Day Cup champions 26 for four.
Alex Gidman goes cheaply in his last Gloucestershire appearance and Derbyshire’s Billy Godleman also departs.
Ballance gone! He's been caught at second by Trescothick off Thomas for 7. It's 32-2.
— Yorkshire CCC (@Yorkshireccc) September 23, 2014
11am – Breaking news: Northants have announced they will release James Middlebrook, who is playing today and is their leading scorer in first-class cricket this year, at the end of the season.
WICKET! Robson edges Chapple to Buttler for 7, @Middlesex_CCC 20-1 in 7th over #LanvMid
— Lancashire CCC (@LancsCCC) September 23, 2014
10.53am – Durham and Gloucestershire are two down! Keith Barker makes Scott Borthwick his second victim and Darren Stevens has Will Tavare lbw for none.
10.51am – ecb.co.uk’s Matt Somerford at Lancashire v Middlesex (14/0): There's not a huge crowd here in support of Lancashire's bid to stay up, but those who have turned up are clearly parochial. There is a bloke with a homemade hat embroided with red roses. I'm unsure if they are real or fake. On more important matters, the ball is swinging and seaming - with a couple of plays-and-misses - but Middlesex's opening pair remain after four overs.
10.47am – Muhammad Azhar Ullah makes it two scalps in as many overs. Having bowled Chris Nash, he now traps Ed Joyce in front for nought.
Yorkshire, Durham and Gloucestershire also lose an early wicket, Adam Lyth, Mark Stoneman and Chris Dent departing.
WICKET! @Azhar_ullah strikes in his first over and bowls Chris Nash (1). @SussexCCC are 1/1. pic.twitter.com/sCoxXbjlHP
— Northants Cricket (@NorthantsCCC) September 23, 2014
10.33am – David Masters makes an early breakthrough for Essex, who must beat Division Two leaders Worcestershire to have a realistic chance of promotion. Richard Oliver is the man to go, held in the cordon.
10.24am – While waiting for the action to start, why not read our exclusive interview with Middlesex captain Rogers ? He talks about facing Junaid Khan, who is excitingly included in Lancashire’s line-up. We also have our usual Division One and Division Two teams news previews.
1,007 - Leicestershire have hit 1,007 boundary fours in @LV_Cricket 2014, more than any other Division 2 team. Ropey. pic.twitter.com/jWrOoLUMby
— OptaJim (@OptaJim) September 23, 2014
10.17am – ecb.co.uk’s Matt Somerford at Emirates Old Trafford - Lancashire v Middlesex: Middlesex skipper Chris Rogers' decision to bat first has raised some eyebrows. The pitch has more than a tinge of green while it is cold and there is plenty of cloud cover. It appears like a bowling morning. However, Rogers is an opener and perhaps he feels he should lead his side from the front. We shall see if that's misplaced bravery over the course of this first session. Certainly, Lancashire captain Glen Chapple has said he would have bowled.
10.12am – Yorkshire, Sussex, Middlesex, Durham, Hampshire and Gloucestershire opt to bat first. Only Essex and Leicestershire chose to field firs t. It’s somewhat surprising that so many toss-winners chose to bat given the 10.30am start and autumnal conditions. We’ll soon see if those six captains made the right decision.
Congratulations to @aleesy14 who has been awarded with his 1st Team Cap this morning by captain @GaleyLad #YCCC pic.twitter.com/n0czHtN9uU
— Yorkshire CCC (@Yorkshireccc) September 23, 2014
Middx have won the toss and will bat...
— Middlesex Cricket (@Middlesex_CCC) September 23, 2014
10am – Hello and welcome to our live blog of the final round of 2014 LV= County Championship matches. The fixtures are below. News of the tosses follows shortly.
Lancashire v Middlesex, Emirates Old Trafford
Northamptonshire v Sussex, Wantage Road
Warwickshire v Durham, Edgbaston
Yorkshire v Somerset, Headingley
Derbyshire v Leicestershire, the 3aaa County Ground
Essex v Worcestershire, the Essex County Ground
Glamorgan v Hampshire, the SWALEC Stadium
Kent v Gloucestershire, the Spitfire Ground
Gus, Buck, Scotty and Richard Johnson weighing things up half an hour before the toss as Lanc's bowlers warm up... pic.twitter.com/M5Naay3Qw9
— Middlesex Cricket (@Middlesex_CCC) September 23, 2014