Wickets tumbled on the opening day of this week’s LV= County Championship action as six of the eight games were into a second innings by stumps.
6:30pm - Here are the scores at stumps on day one:
Division One
Sussex, having lost the toss, are 60 for three in reply to Durham’s 245 at the Emirates Durham ICG.
Nottinghamshire, who won the toss, are 14 for three after Warwickshire posted 298 at Trent Bridge.
Derbyshire are 220 for five in response to 103 from Somerset, who chose to bat first, at Taunton.
Middlesex, having opted to bat first, are 280 for seven against Surrey at the Kia Oval.
Division Two
Essex, who lost the toss, are 199 for four, responding to Worcestershire’s 102 at Chelmsford.
Kent are 102 for five in reply to 158 from Glamorgan, having chosen to bat first, at the SWALEC Stadium.
Gloucestershire, who won the toss, are 210 for four after Leicestershire made 117 at Bristol.
Northamptonshire, having been put in to bat, are 323 for six against Hampshire at the Ageas Bowl.
6:27pm - The last match is done for the day with Gloucestershire 210 for four, having skittled Leicestershire for 117.
6:13pm - Kent close on 102 for five, replying to Glamorgan’s 158. Bristol, where there was a delayed start, is the sole ground with play still.
6:05pm - Chambers, on loan from Essex, snares Michael Lumb for nought at the start of his next over but Samit Patel denies him a hat-trick.
It’s stumps at the Emirates Durham ICG with Sussex 60 for three after Durham’s 245.
5:59pm - Play ends for the day at the Ageas Bowl where Northants have had the better of proceedings to close on 323 for six.
Chambers breaks through again to bowl nightwatchman Fletcher and Hogan gets rid of Darren Stevens to leave Kent 94 for five.
Richard Johnson plays this Chawla delivery into the legside en route to a fine half century at Taunton pic.twitter.com/symYhR9xXJ
— Derbyshire CCC (@DerbyshireCCC) September 3, 2013
5:51pm - Mitchell Claydon, who will soon join Kent it was announced today, bowls Joe Gatting for 16 to leave Sussex three down.
Tom Poynton and Richard Johnson register fifties in quick succession shortly before Derbyshire close on 220 for five, having rolled Somerset for 103.
Warwickshire’s Keith Barker cheaply cleans up Alex Hales, who hit 94 for England on Saturday. Thakor likewise snares Alex Gidman before Alex Wyatt traps Gareth Roderick in front as Gloucestershire lose two quick wickets.
5:38pm - Indeed, stumps are drawn at the Kia Oval with Middlesex 280 for seven and Dexter on 77, and at Chelmsford with Essex 199 for four in reply to Worcestershire’s 102.
At Bristol Klinger is caught behind off Shiv Thakor for 86 and at the Ageas Bowl Keogh reaches 150, 106 more than his previous first-class best, and Matthew Spriegel a half-century.
Warwickshire are all out for 298 with Fletcher removing Maurice Chambers for figures of 4-56.
5:30pm - A quiet period of play precedes the close, which is fast approaching given the games started at 10:30am except for the delayed match at Bristol.
5:13pm - Graham Onions strikes in consecutive overs with the wickets of Chris Nash and Michael Yardy, leaving Sussex 28 for two, and Notts’ Luke Fletcher makes Pete McKay his third scalp.
James Sykes ends Gloucestershire’s opening stand on 163, Chris Dent departing for 77. Alan Richardson has Owais Shah lbw and Moeen accounts for Smith on 94, making Essex 172 for four.
5:01pm - Jeetan Patel raises a fifty shortly after Notts take the new ball.
4:56pm - Essex, for whom Greg Smith is now approaching three figures, lose Jaik Mickleburgh to Moeen Ali for 65.
4:46pm - Kent and Middlesex are the sides losing wickets at the moment. Michael Reed gets rid of the former's Ben Harmison and Ollie Rayner falls to Gary Keedy for the latter.
4:38pm - With Gloucestershire now trailing by just 12, Chris Dent has reached a half-century. Middlesex, meanwhile, are six down following Gareth Berg's departure and Kent slip to 37 for three as Brendan Nash falls.
Wicket. @yozza18 is trapped lbw by Chawla, his fourth wicket, for 6. Derbyshire 127-5 (37.4 overs); Johnson 17*. Lead by 24 runs.
— Derbyshire CCC (@DerbyshireCCC) September 3, 2013
4:26pm - Derbyshire, now ahead versus Somerset, lose Ben Slater to Piyush Chawla for 45, while Kent slip to 25 for two as Hogan gets rid of Rob Key.
At the top of Division One, Durham have been dismissed for 245, James Anyon claiming the final wicket to fall.
4:04pm - Two quick Steve Magoffin strikes leave Durham 226 for nine. Elsewhere, Neil Dexter has brought up a fifty for Middlesex.
3:56pm - It's been a good day for the Greg Smiths. Essex's follows his Leicestershire namesake by reaching a half-century. James Anyon has trapped Michael Richardson lbw to leave Durham seven down amid Gloucestershire reaching tea on 95 without loss.
3:51pm - Gloucestershire are close to moving beyond Leicestershire's first-innings total without losing a wicket, with Michael Klinger having passed 50. Also in Division Two, Kent lose an early wicket in their reply as Michael Hogan bowls Sam Northeast.
Wicket - Simpson departs just after the break for 23, ct Harinath off the bowling of Keedy and we're 204-5 with Dexter 44* #SurreyvMiddx
— Middlesex Cricket (@Middlesex_CCC) September 3, 2013
It's seriously warm in Taunton - Ben Slater dries his batting glove inners on the stumps during a break in play pic.twitter.com/fV2JVUg0mA
— Derbyshire CCC (@DerbyshireCCC) September 3, 2013
3:39pm - The day’s second interval also arrives at Taunton with Derbyshire 97 for three, responding to Somerset’s 103. Play continues at Bristol where there was a delayed start.
3:32pm - The tea interval arrives at three more grounds with Durham 214 for six, Warwickshire 210 for eight and Northants 204 for six.
Keogh makes his maiden first class century from 178 balls. Northants are 202 for 6 #WellDoneRob#GoSteelbacks
— Northants Cricket (@NorthantsCCC) September 3, 2013
3:25pm -Glamorgan are all out for 158, Darren Stevens making Michael Reed his fourth victim, to herald tea, which is also being taken at the Kia Oval and Chelmsford. Middlesex are 200 for four at the former and Essex 63 for one in reply to Worcestershire’s paltry 102 at the latter.
3:22pm - Adam Riley strikes twice in an over, removing Wright for 55 and Ben Hogan for nought, as Glamorgan slump to 153 for nine.
3:15pm - Amid bowling bonus points galore, Durham have the first batting point of the day!
3:11pm - Derbyshire lose a third quick wicket, Shivnarine Chanderpaul going lbw to Meschede, and Adams has a fourth for Notts, Darren Maddy holing out for 47.
3pm - Derbyshire opening batsmen Ben Slater and Paul Borrington share a fifty partnership before Chawla strikes in consecutive overs, having Borrington and Wayne Madsen caught at slip by Marcus Trescothick for 27 and seven respectively.
Hatchett gets a third wicket, that of Phil Mustard, and Adams does likewise for Notts, accounting for Keith Barker to leave Warwickshire 179 for seven.
There’s a rare bit of good news for a batsman as Glamorgan’s Ben Wright brings up a fifty.
2:40pm - Lewis Hatchett traps Paul Collingwood leg-before, reducing Durham to 164 for five, and Ruaidhri Smith is caught behind off Haggett, making Glamorgan 128 for seven.
2:31pm - Leicestershire are skittled for 117 when Howell bags Alex Wyatt. Kent’s Calum Haggett snares Mark Wallace and Brathwaite also gets Steven Crook caught behind.
Essex enjoy an early scalp, Alan Richardson bowling Nick Browne for none.
WICKET..Hatchett strikes, and it's Stoneman that goes. Gone for an impressive 96 and Durham are now 154/4 @lewis_hatchett#GOSBTS
— Sussex CCC (@SussexCCC) September 3, 2013
2:18pm - The flurry of breakthroughs continues with Benny Howell bowling Ollie Freckingham to put Leicestershire nine down and Hampshire’s Ruel Brathwaite ousting Andrew Hall for 48.
2:13pm - Wickets are falling so fast it is hard to keep up. Worcestershire are skittled for 102, David Lucas falling to Masters. Will Gidman traps Ben Raine in front as Leicestershire slip to eight down.
Middlesex’s Dawid Malan goes for 61 to Tim Linley and Warwickshire’s Chris Woakes is run out for one.
2:02pm - Topley strikes again, Ross Whitely edging behind on 14, as does Will Gidman, who sends James Sykes back. Kent’s Mark Davies dismisses Jim Allenby for 17.
Somerset wicketkeeper Craig Kieswetter shells Paul Borrington off Gregory early in Derbyshire’s reply.
WICKET..! Jimmy Anyon with the breakthrough as Will Smith is c Yardy 32. Durham 122-3. #GOSBTSpic.twitter.com/CJuyv6lPRw
— Sussex CCC (@SussexCCC) September 3, 2013
1:53pm - Topley has 5-26 with Jack Shantry’s wicket to make Worcestershire 81 for eight and James Anyon accounts for Smith on 32, leaving Durham 122 for three.
1:45pm - Somerset are all out for 103 when Groenewald removes Piyush Chawla, who hit four consecutive fours late in his 27, for figures of 5-33. Tony Palladino returned 4-34.
Andre Adams has Laurie Evans caught behind for a duck and Luke Fletcher gets Steffan Piolet likewise, leaving Warwickshire 126 for five.
Gloucestershire’s Will Gidman has Greg Smith caught by brother Alex for 54 and Rob Keogh reaches a half-century for Northants.
1:36pm - Mark Stoneman and Will Smith share a fifty partnership for Durham but Nottinghamshire’s Luke Fletcher has Varun Chopra caught behind for 76 and Essex’s David Masters snares Michael Johnson for nought.
1:31pm - Somerset are nine down as Tony Palladino bowls Alfonso Thomas. At the SWALEC Stadium Charlie Shreck ousts Murray Goodwin.
1:20pm - There is a flurry of wickets immediately after lunch with Tim Groenewald having Lewis Gregory caught behind for his fourth wicket, Middlesex’s Australia Test batsman Chris Rogers run out for 55 and Essex’s Reece Topley dismissing Jack Leech for 24. Soon after, Dawid Malan raises a fifty for Middlesex.
Here we have @mitchellclaydon just after signing his contract. Thanks for the photo @SayerNeil#snaphappy#superkentpic.twitter.com/bbi6N8Ypq1
— Kent Cricket (@kentcricket) September 3, 2013
1:04pm - Leicestershire, having lost Josh Cobb and seen Greg Smith move to 50, reach lunch on 90 for five.
12:51pm - Ah, that's not what Leicestershire wanted before lunch. Shiv Thakor goes, Craig Miles grabbing the breakthrough.
12:42pm - Claydon was not looking for a new club too long! Kent have just confirmed his signing along with that of David Griffiths.
12:38pm - Some news away from today's action: Durham have announced Mitchell Claydon will be released at the end of the season.
12:36pm - It's lunch time everywhere other than Bristol and here are the scores on the doors:
Division One
Durham are 97 for two after electing to bat against Sussex at the Emirates Durham ICG.
Warwickshire are 103 for two after being asked to bat against Nottinghamshire at Trent Bridge.
Middlesex are 117 for two after electing to bat against Surrey at the Kia Oval.
Somerset are 68 for seven after electing to bat against Derbyshire at Taunton.
Division Two
Worcestershire are 73 for four after electing to bat against Essex at Chelmsford.
Northamptonshire are 96 for four after being asked to bat by Hampshire at the Ageas Bowl.
Glamorgan are 64 for three after electing to bat against Kent at the SWALEC Stadium.
12:26pm - Some joy for batsmen at last as Mark Stoneman, Varun Chopra and Chris Rogers reach half-centuries. It's not all smiles, though. Somerset are now 53 for seven following Craig Meschede's departure and Glamorgan have lost Chris Cooke to Stevens.
WICKET!! And it gets better! Palladino gets his third wicket as Hildreth is trapped lbw for 7. Somerset 47-6 (22.2 overs); Meschede 2*
— Derbyshire CCC (@DerbyshireCCC) September 3, 2013
12:08pm - Wickets aplenty continue to tumble. Topley has trapped Tom Fell lbw to leave Worcestershire four down, while Glamorgan are 46 for two after Will Bragg fell to Stevens. Gidman grabbed his third wicket, that of Matt Boyce, to leave Leicestershire in further trouble and Somerset are in real bother following Alex Barrow's departure.
11:54am - Gloucestershire snare a big scalp as Ned Eckersley, who struck two centuries in Leicestershire's last outing, falls to Gidman.
WICKET!! Kieswetter is caught at mid-off by @BennySlats off @timmyg12 for nine. Somerset 43-4 (17.3 overs); Hildreth 7*. Barrow new man
— Derbyshire CCC (@DerbyshireCCC) September 3, 2013
Wicket: Javid gloves a vicious delivery from Gurney into the air, taken by Mull at second slip. 52-2 #NottsvWarks
— Nottinghamshire CCC (@TrentBridge) September 3, 2013
11:33am - It appears I spoke too soon on Glamorgan and Warwickshire; Gareth Rees has fallen to Darren Stevens and Ian Westwood to Andre Adams. On the bright side, neither are in a worse position than Northants, who are four down following David Sales' departure to Matt Coles.
Somerset have lost a third, Chris Jones falling to Tony Palladino, as have Worcestershire, Matt Pardoe the man to go.
11:22am - Title-chasing Durham lose a second wicket, too, when Scott Borthwick edges Steve Magoffin behind. Champions Warwickshire are off to a solid start having not lost a wicket, as are Glamorgan.
11:17am - Somerset and Middlesex are also two down following the departures of Nick Compton and Joe Denly respectively. In Division Two, Leicestershire's Angus Robson has edged Will Gidman behind and Northants' Alex Wakely has become Balcombe's second victim.
WICKET Moeen Ali caught at short mid-wicket for 6 by Reece Topley diving forward off the bowling of Graham Napier. 17-2 in 10th over
— Essex Cricket (@EssexCricket) September 3, 2013
Oh no! One wicked down, Tresco is caught behind at slip for 17. Chris Jones next man in! 25-1
— Somerset Cricket (@SomersetCCC) September 3, 2013
10:51am - Surrey, buoyed from their first championship win of the season against Derbyshire last week, strike an early blow when Jade Dernbach has Sam Robson caught behind, while Durham lose Keaton Jennings lbw to James Anyon. Northants are now two down, David Balcombe bowling James Middlebrook.
10:42am - Amid Gloucestershirechoosing to field at Bristol, Hampshire and Essex claim early wickets. James Tomlinson ousts Northamptonshire's Stephen Peters for the former, while David Masters gets rid of Daryl Mitchell for the latter.
10:17am - The start has been delayed between Gloucestershire and Leicestershire at Bristol, with the action set to begin half an hour late. Elsewhere, the coin-flips have taken place:
Division One
Durham elect to bat against Sussex at the Emirates Durham ICG.
Nottinghamshire elect to field against Warwickshire at Trent Bridge.
Middlesex elect to bat against Surrey at the Kia Oval.
Somerset elect to bat against Derbyshire at Taunton.
Division Two
Worcestershire elect to bat against Essex at Chelmsford.
Hampshire elect to field against Northamptonshire at the Ageas Bowl.
Glamorgan elect to bat against Kent at the SWALEC Stadium.
10:05am - With the summer and lighter nights coming to a close, play will begin half an hour earlier than usual. That means news from the tosses is imminent!
9:45am - Hello and welcome to ecb.co.uk's live LV= County Championship blog. With the season now at its business end, this promises to be another crucial week.