It’s the first day of the new LV= County Championship season! Follow the six games here in our live blog.
By Bibhash Dash
4.50pm - After James Harris' four wickets for Middlesex, it's time for Tom Helm to claim his second - Will Gidman the man out - with Notts in danger of being bowled out on day one. The visitors are on 208 for seven.
4.44pm - There's some bad news from Grace Road as well. Although Leicestershire may see that more as a respite...
Bad light stops play at Leicester in the 73rd over with Glamorgan on 294/2 with Bragg 113* and Ingram 14*
— Glamorgan Cricket (@GlamCricket) April 12, 2015
4.40pm - Couple of wickets to tell you about, as Collingwood has now picked himself a five-for! Jim Allenby the latest in his tally, as he departs for just eight. Somerset 270 for seven.
Northants are also seven down, for 289, in their match against Gloucestershire. David Willey's brisk innings of 62 from 57 deliveries is ended by Kieran Noema-Barnett, who now has two wickets to his name.
4.31pm - Luke Wright is proving more than a handful for the Hampshire bowlers, as Sussex move up to 225 for five. Wright is now 70 off 103 balls.
There's trouble on the horizon for Worcestershire, however, who have just lost wicket number six. Yorkshire's Ryan Sidebottom accounts for Ben Cox, who scored eight, with the hosts now 200 for six.
4.22pm - Back in on the action now, and first up it's Worcestershire (195/6), who are being keenly watched by ecb.co.uk's Andy Wilson: Tom Fell brings up his century from the second ball after tea, flicking Sidebottom for his 17th four. Impressive start to life in Division One for the 21-year-old right-hander. But later in the same over Sidebottom claims his first wicket courtesy of a terrific low catch by Bresnan to dismiss Ben Cox, leaving Worcestershire on 195 for six.
What an innings!!!!!! Superb knock by Tom Fell 103* pic.twitter.com/lyxT6zlu1c
— Worcestershire CCC (@WorcsCCC) April 12, 2015
4.07pm - Tea for Northants as well who are 244 for six, though with Adam Rossington on 56 and David Willey on 43. It's looking better now against Gloucestershire.
4.04pm - Paul Collingwood puts Durham into the tea break on his own terms - it's a fourth wicket for the former England man to dismiss Peter Trego lbw for nought. Somerset in trouble at 248 for six as we go into the tea interval.
3.59pm - Amid the tea bells, we should bring you some scores from the university games. First up is from Warwichshire, for whom Ian Westwood is on 143, with the team on 324 for three against Durham MCCU.
Kevin Pietersen departed for Surrey a short while ago, and the team are better for his big innings at 327 for six.
Surrey 316-6...Pietersen c McIver b Sakande 170 ..Wilson 69*, Batty 0* pic.twitter.com/wpEyV4L28C
— Surrey Cricket (@surreycricket) April 12, 2015
3.57pm - Tea interval at New Road, where Worcestershire are 190 for five against Yorkshire.
3.51pm - It's wickets galore elsewhere as Middlesex pick up a third wicket in quick succession to leave Notts on 183 for six. Taylor at last departs after his century, finishing on 106 in 188 balls.
Collingwood also is quickly on to three wickets, as Somerset lose Hildreth and Barrow to be on 248 for five.
3.49pm - It's tea at the Ageas Bowl with Sussex on 192 for five. Tea also at Leicester where Glamorgan are in command at 247 for one.
3.44pm - It's a tense atmosphere at New Road, and not necessarily on the pitch. Here's ecb.co.uk's Andy Wilson: Yorkshire president Dickie Bird just been in the press box. He's not happy, the Yorkshire diary incorrectly has a chap called Boycott in his presidential role. Dickie’s gone back to the pavilion for his tea now, then he’s hoping to watch the Manchester derby. Meanwhile a third wicket for Jack Brooks, Kohler-Cadmore bowled pulling unwisely, Worcestershire 171-5.
3.40pm - There's more positive news for Sussex though, as Wright grinds his way to a half-century against Hampshire.
Not so for Notts who lose James Taylor for 36 after he pulls straight into the hands of midwicket at Lord's.
And over at Worcestershire, Brooksy's back, and he strikes back. Tom Kohler-Cadmore departs for three to make it three victims for the Yorkshire seamer.
3.36pm - Oh no! The curse of the live-blog strikes again...
WICKET: Myburgh departs just before tea for a well-played 118. Jim Allenby the new man, Somerset 224/3 #SOMvDUR
— Somerset Cricket (@SomersetCCC) April 12, 2015
...actually, it was Paul Collingwood. Somerset on 229 for three.
3.34pm - It's proving largely a batsman's day in the County Championship today. And we reckon there will be a few more landmarks reached before close of play.
Congratulations to @BrendanTaylor86@Jacques_Rudolph and @JohannMyburgh on championship centuries so far today
— The PCA (@PCA) April 12, 2015
3.30pm - Over at the Ageas Bowl, Luke Wright is proving Sussex's latest saviour, as the former England international takes the lead in carving out a useful partnership with wicketkeeper Ben Brown. Hampshire seem to have taken their foot off the gas slightly after having them 128 for five, with Sussex now moving to 169.
3.25pm - ecb.co.uk's Andy Wilson takes in the action and more at New Road where Worcestershire are playing champions Yorkshire: Encouraging crowd of around 2,000 here today, despite chilly wind. No good for those one man and a dog pictures sometimes used to mock county cricket. Bresnan got a second wicket, Alex Gidman lbw, but Fell on 80 and Worcs now 160-4.
3.23pm - Must be something in that Derbyshire dressing room? Wayne Madsen follows Guptill into the century list. Fifteen fours and a six for him as Derbyshire make it 370 for three against Cambridge MCCU.
3.20pm - And it's Rudolph's turn next to raise his bat. The Glamorgan man reaches 100 with a cut to four off Leicestershire's Dan Redfern.
3.15 - Take a bow Taylor, who follows up his century from the last university game with a century on County Championship debut for Notts. The ton comes up in 160 balls and includes 14 fours. Notts in cruise control at Lord's on 174 for two.
What a moment for Brendan Taylor! A century on his #LVCC debut, his first appearance at Lord's. 174-2 #MiddxvNottspic.twitter.com/WukJYScuZx
— Nottinghamshire CCC (@TrentBridge) April 12, 2015
3.11pm - They come in twos for Northants, who are reduced to 170 for six. Gloucestershire's Craig Miles grabs two wickets in three balls. Alex Wakely goes for his 31 in the 51st over, while Josh Cobb fails to trouble the scorers. Miles now has four for the day!
3.09pm - Back we come to the County Championship, and we have a wicket already. Bresnan again doing the damage for champions Yorkshire as Alex Gidman's first innings of 2015 ends for just seven. Worcestershire in a slight wobble at 152 for three.
3.05pm - Must be that time of the day. Yet another centurion in our midst today. Surrey are 220 for five.
And @KP24 moves to a brilliant 100...batted pic.twitter.com/XhkoZgIvOQ
— Surrey Cricket (@surreycricket) April 12, 2015
2.58pm - Around the university fixtures, Martin Guptill has called time on his innings, as he retires after clocking up 161 off 108 balls, which included 19 fours and six sixes. Spare a thought for the Cambridge MCCU fielders!
Elsewhere, Lancashire are still waiting for the rain to ease off, while Ian Westwood reaches his century for Warwickshire against Durham MCCU.
2.52pm - Glamorgan the first team in this season to reach 200, piling more misery on Leicestershire. Jacques Rudolph and Will Bragg are both looking very comfortable, with Glamorgan on 202 for one.
The stand here at Grace Road is now Glam's best for the 2nd wicket v Leics.
— Glamorgan Cricket (@GlamCricket) April 12, 2015
2.45pm - Johann Myburgh is pacing his innings really well for Somerset, who reach 161 for two. Myburg has 86 from 121 balls.
Meanwhile, Cachopa's vigil for Sussex came to an end a few minutes ago, as the batsman was sent away for 41 off 107 balls.
WICKET - @DannyBriggs19 takes the edge of Joyce (42) and caught well by Ervine at first slip - 107-4 https://t.co/ovLItuqPxz
— Hampshire Cricket (@hantscricket) April 12, 2015
2.35pm - That's the end of Moeen Ali - gone for a well-made 62 as Yorkshire's Tim Bresnan has him caught.
ecb.co.uk's Andy Wilson at New Road: Bresnan makes the big breakthrough for Yorkshire, Moeen gone for 62 driving extravagantly. 131-3, Fell on 61.
2.32pm - Brendan Taylor reached his half-century in 105 balls, but he has since motored on to 78 in 129. 12 boundaries for the former Zimbabwe international, who signed a three-year deal with Notts. Looks like it could be a very fruitful acquisition as they reach 138 for two against Middlesex.
2.27pm - Another one falls short of a 50. This time it's Northants man Rob Keogh, who departs for 46 off 69 balls, an innings that included eight fours as well. Northants are now 136 for four with Adam Rossington joining Alex Wakely (22) at the crease.
2.20pm - Lancashire's university game against Leeds/Bradford MCCU is temporarily halted due to the weather. The Red Rose are 128 for one in 32 overs with Luis Reece leading the way after Paul Horton was first man out for 83.
The current scene at a very wet and windy @EmiratesOT. pic.twitter.com/q3sw5HS8YL
— Lancashire CCC (@LancsCCC) April 12, 2015
2.14pm - Heartbreak for Somerset's Tom Cooper who departs lbw just three runs short of a half-century. Durham's Paul Coughlin picks up his first wicket with Somerset on 123.
2.10pm - Sussex (91 for three) are the only ones yet to reach triple figures, as Hampshire once again slow the run-rate down. Sussex remember were 22 for three at one stage in the morning session, and it's been a good comeback so far from Ed Joyce and Craig Cachopa.
2.06pm - It's all happening today, as even Kevin Pietersen registers a 50 playing for Surrey, who are 134 for five against Oxford MCCU.
2.02pm - ecb.co.uk's Andy Wilson: Moeen just reached 50, following Fell, by punching Sidebottom through covers for four. 110-2.
2pm - Tom Fell follows Rudolph into the big score list, as the Worcestershire man helps his side to 103 for two against Yorkshire.
Over at the university games, star of the World Cup Martin Guptill has just reached his century against Cambridge MCCU, as Derbyshire cruise along at 222 for two.
1.54pm - Notts have passed the 100 mark as Brendan Taylor continues his march for the visitors at Middlesex.
Rudolph becomes the first man to score a half-century this season, doing so for Glamorgan against Leicestershire.
1.46pm - Play is starting to get back under way for the teams. Moeen Ali, in fact, has started with two boundaries off Sidebottom.
1.42pm - Ecb.co.uk’s Andy Wilson is overseeing proceedings at Worcestershire (77 for two) v Yorkshire: Lunch at New Road, and generous applause for Moeen Ali as he returns to a well-populated pavilion with Tom Fell. They have shared an unbroken third-wicket partnership of 66 to frustrate Yorkshire, after two early wickets for Jack Brooks reduced Worcestershire to 11 for two.
It’s been a fascinating session of cricket after Daryl Mitchell won the toss and chose to bat on an unusually dry-looking pitch for New Road in April – that fact presumably not unconnected to the arrival of Sachithra Senanayake at Heathrow yesterday morning as Worcestershire’s replacement for Saeed Ajmal in the overseas player role.
Brooks and Ryan Sidebottom were predictably probing early on. Brooks had the left-handed Richard Oliver caught behind in his first over to bring Moeen to the crease, and Mitchell was sharply caught by Jack Leaning at second slip.
Moeen got off the mark with an edged boundary off Sidebottom, and had another life on 21 off Steve Patterson, driving uppishly to the straighter of two short covers, only for Will Rhodes to spill a sharp chance. But he was otherwise patient and played a number of pleasing drives to reach 31 from 85 balls, with four fours.
At the other end Fell, a 21-year-old who is one of two Oxford MCCU graduates in this Worcestershire team, has overtaken him, reaching lunch on 40 from 67 balls with seven fours.
Alex Lees, who is captaining Yorkshire for the first time in the Championship with Andrew Gale suspended and Joe Root, who filled in for him last season, in the West Indies, has tried all five of his seamers – Brooks, Sidebottom, Patterson, Tim Bresnan and Richard Pyrah – as well as the left arm spin of Karl Carver, but Worcestershire will be the happier team at lunch.
Elsewhere this morning, reports have drifted through of an encouraging crowd at the Grace Road open day for Leicestershire’s Division Two match against Glamorgan, Alex Hales has started the season run out for a duck at Lord’s, and Marcus Trescothick has been caught by Paul Collingwood off Graham Onions, a dismissal with a combined age of 109 – it is hard to see that being beaten all summer.
1.06pm - Lunch time at the cricket! Twelve wickets have already fallen around the grounds. Here are the scores so far...
Division One
A good recovery from Worcestershire sees Moeen Ali not out on 31 and Tom Fell on 40, as the hosts reach lunch at 77 for two against champions Yorkshire.
Nottinghamshireare 90 for two, with new recruit Brendan Taylor on 42 not out, though progress was hampered by the quick losses of Steven Mullaney and Alex Hales as Middlesex fought back at Lord's.
Sussex suffered three early losses away against Hampshire, but recovered enough to edge to 68 for three, with skipper Ed Joyce holding fort alongside Craig Cachopa.
Somerset lost Marcus Trescothick early against Durham, but are firmly in command on 89 for one at lunch, as Johann Myburgh takes the lead role with his 42 off 75 balls.
Division Two
Northamptonshire began with a 50 stand, but are slightly under the cosh at 89 for three, with Craig Miles' 2-9 helping Gloucestershire justify their decision to field first.
Leicestershire are not getting much their way at home to Glamorgan, who are the only side in both divisions to make three figures. They are 102 for one, with captain Jacques Rudolph on 41.
1.01pm - Coming up towards lunch on day one, and already plenty to talk about, though the sides batting perhaps are coming to grips with things. A few are also nearing their half-centuries. We'll have the full round-ups for you soon.
12.47pm - Worcestershire quickly get things back in order for themselves despite the loss of two wickets. They are now 74 for two with both Moeen and Tom Fell on 30s.
12.42pm - It's not looking good for Notts, who have just lost Alex Hales for a seven-ball duck to a run out. Middlesex's Murtagh doing the damage there and Notts are 72 for two.
12.34pm - Sussex are slowly building back some momentum against Hampshire. The middle order of Ed Joyce and Craig Cachopa have steered them to 59 for three in 23 overs.
Somerset too are happily ticking the scoreboard over. They lie on 63 for one with Johann Myburgh clocking 31.
12.26pm - Consolidation will be the order of the day for the batting sides. Glamorgan are attempting their revival after losing Kettleborough. They are now 75 for one. Everyone glued to the action at Grace Road.
#openday@graceroadpic.twitter.com/oA52QdIxAY
— Leicestershire CCC (@leicsccc) April 12, 2015
12.18pm - Gloucestershire, the only ones who opted to field remember, are fighting back against Northants. 64 for three now.
WICKET! Newton edges to Roderick off the bowling of Miles for 1. Northants 64 off 18 overs. Wakely and Keogh now at the crease.
— Northants Cricket (@NorthantsCCC) April 12, 2015
12.10pm - Away from the County Championship action, there's a fella called Kevin Pietersen turning out for Surrey today against Oxford MCCU. Plenty of support out to see them gear up for the season.
Surrey 42-2..Pietersen 5*, Solanki 17* pic.twitter.com/A6Jow2YkjC
— Surrey Cricket (@surreycricket) April 12, 2015
12.07pm - Nine wickets already in just over an hour's play. That's nearly a full team back in the pavilion. ecb.co.uk's Andy Wilson is out in Worcestershire for us, and reports back: "A blissful first hour of the season at New Road, where a very healthy crowd have had the pleasure of watching Moeen Ali withstand a searching examination from a high-calibre Yorkshire pace attack."
11.59am - Oh dear, perhaps we spoke too soon!
WICKET! Levi is caught behind of the bowling of Norwell for 29 #cricketseason
— Northants Cricket (@NorthantsCCC) April 12, 2015
11.58am - Northants clock the first 50 partnership of the season, and are now ambling away at 59 without loss. Stephen Peters is slowly catching up with his opening partner Levi.
11.50am - Nottinghamshire are going along steadily against hosts Middlesex. New recruit Brendan Taylor and Steven Mullaney take them to 34 without loss.
Somerset are attempting to recover after losing their first wicket for 33 against Durham. Trescothick the man to depart for 11.
Meanwhile, more trouble for Sussex who are 22 for three. Who will stand up and be counted?
11.42am - There's little time for teams to settle in by the looks of it. Sussex are in a spot of bother against newly promoted Hampshire.
Sussex lose their second wicket as Chris Nash is bowled by Gareth Berg for 11. Sussex 17/2 now #GOSBTS
— Sussex CCC (@SussexCCC) April 12, 2015
11.34am - And there it is! The Foxes have made the breakthrough (don't say I didn't warn you!). Atif Sheikh gets rid of James Kettleborough for 10. Glamorgan 27 for one.
11.32am - Leicestershire are probing their way towards a wicket over at Grace Road against Glamorgan. Also seen bouncing around, a giant fox.
Charlie Fox on the scene for open day!!! Come and see Charlie Fox today here at grace road... Free entry for all! pic.twitter.com/KsPvyVal1a
— Leicestershire CCC (@leicsccc) April 12, 2015
11.28am - In Division Two, Richard Levi is going well for Northants, who are 39 without loss against Gloucestershire. Levi has already hit two sixes and two fours in his innings. We could be in for a long one from the South African!
11.20am - We have our first wicket of the 2015 season and it goes, perhaps fittingly, to the champions Yorkshire! Worcestershire opener Richard Oliver departs in just the second over for a duck. Jack Brooks with the honour of that scalp as Oliver is caught behind by Andy Hodd. I wouldn't celebrate too early though, as it brings a certain Moeen Ali to the crease.
11am - Play is getting under way around the grounds of England today. Will there be any nervy starts?
Two leave alones from Mitchell to Sidebottom start the 2015 Championship.
— Yorkshire CCC (@Yorkshireccc) April 12, 2015
Tim Murtagh delivers the first ball of the season to Steven Mullaney... Left alone #MiddxvNotts
— Nottinghamshire CCC (@TrentBridge) April 12, 2015
10.45am - Nothing like going against the flow to start off the season eh? Gloucestershire are the only one of the six teams in action to win the toss and field first. Sussex, Nottinghamshire, Somerset, Worcestershire, Glamorgan all opting to have a bat.
.@Gloscricket have won the toss and decided to bowl #cmonglos
— Gloucestershire CCC (@Gloscricket) April 12, 2015
10.20am - If you're out and about today, or even just settling down with a cuppa at home, why not gear yourself up for the season with our handy previews for Division One and Division Two? I'm myself more partial to a packet of chocolate chip cookies, but who else will be tasting sweet success on day one? We are 40 minutes away from the start of the action.
10am – It’s here again! Another season of LV= County Championship action has arrived. News on the tosses will follow soon, and here are the fixtures they will be coming from:
Division One
Hampshire v Sussex, Ageas Bowl
Middlesex v Nottinghamshire, Lord’s
Somerset v Durham, Taunton
Worcestershire v Yorkshire, New Road
Division Two
Leicestershire v Glamorgan, Grace Road
Northamptonshire v Gloucestershire, Wantage Road
Beautiful morning at @TheAgeasBowl - perfect cricket weather for the first day of the 2015 season. pic.twitter.com/Qhl7NCOlMH
— Hampshire Cricket (@hantscricket) April 12, 2015