The Cricketer wraps up the best of the action during day three of the first round of Vitality County Championship matches in 2024
Chester-le-Street (day three of four): Durham v Hampshire - no play due to a wet outfield
Durham and Hampshire will have a growing sense of deja vu as they have to wait for yet another day to start their Vitality County Championship season as play was abandoned for a third consecutive day.
Consistent overnight downpours have made the outfield unplayable and play was abandoned before the scheduled start time of 11am.
The seemingly never-ending wait for Division One cricket to return to the Seat Unique Riverside continues, much to the frustration of both sides, who have big ambitions for the season.
They will return for day four tomorrow, and with a result out of the question, if the outfield is deemed playable tomorrow, the focus for Durham and Hampshire will firmly be on bonus points, which could be pivotal at the end of the season.
Related - County cricket ins and outs 2024: Signings, transfers, squad updates
Lancashire and Surrey were frustrated by the weather, as were Durham and Hampshire [Lancashire Cricket]
Canterbury (day three of four): Kent 284, Somerset 374-7 - Somerset lead by 90 runs with three first-innings wickets in hand
Kent and Somerset look to be heading for a draw in the County Championship at Canterbury, after the visitors reached 374 for 7 at stumps on day three.
Tom Lammonby hit 90 and Matt Renshaw 66 as the visitors survived an early evening wobble to overhaul Kent's first innings score of 284.
Kent debutants Matt Parkinson and George Garrett took 3 for 31 and 2 for 61, respectively, but a stand of 101 between Kasey Aldridge and James Rew gave Somerset a potentially useful lead of 90.
Aldridge was unbeaten on 50 while Rew made 57 before he was out in surreal circumstances following a delay caused by a rogue mobilty-scooter.
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Old Trafford (day three of four): Lancashire 202, Surrey 15-0 - Surrey trail by 187 runs with 10 first-innings wickets in hand
The County Championship match between Lancashire and Surrey looks certain to end in a draw after only 21 balls were bowled on the third day of the game at Emirates Old Trafford.
Surrey had progressed to 15 without loss in their first innings when rain forced an early lunch to be taken at 1.10pm. During the interval, the entire square and bowlers' run-ups were covered in anticipation of heavy showers, and safety concerns about strong winds prevented the covers' removal, though no rain was falling when the game was due to restart.
A statement on Lancs TV read: "Play suspended due to adverse weather conditions" and the expected rain eventually arrived at 2.30pm. Play was eventually abandoned after a 4pm inspection.
Should weather allow any cricket to take place on the final day, the match is now likely to become a battle for first-innings bonus points as Surrey's batters build a reply to Lancashire's 202 all out. Dom Sibley is currently six not out and Surrey skipper Rory Burns is unbeaten on five.
Related: Health and safety prioritised as Lancashire and Surrey frustrated by rain and high winds
Matt Critchley (pictured) and Paul Walter shared a crucial sixth-wicket stand for Essex [Alex Davidson/Getty Images]
Trent Bridge (day three of four): Essex 253 & 329-8, Nottinghamshire 293 - Essex lead by 289 runs with two second-innings wickets in hand
Nottinghamshire look likely to be chasing a 300-plus target on the last day of their County Championship against Essex after the visitors hauled themselves out of a tricky situation on day three at Trent Bridge.
At 129 for 5 shortly before lunch - just 89 runs in front - Essex looked in danger of slipping to defeat, potentially in three days.
But after Paul Walter (79) and Matt Critchley (68) fought back in a 132-run partnership for the sixth wicket, Tom Westley's team were 289 in front at 329 for 8 when rain forced an early close, with Shane Snater 29 not out.
It leaves the match nicely poised for an intriguing final day, in which Nottinghamshire will fancy their chances if they can take the last two wickets quickly but Essex would be favourites if they can stretch their advantage towards 350.
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Edgbaston (day two of four): Worcestershire 360 & 237-2, Warwickshire 333 - Worcestershire lead by 264 runs with eight second-innings wickets in hand
Kashif Ali followed his impressive first-innings maiden century with an even better knock as Worcestershire dominated the third day of their County Championship Division One derby with Warwickshire at Edgbaston.
Kashif's 110 first time round was stylish work, but the South Asian Cricket Academy graduate surpassed it with a gorgeous 133 (128 balls) as Worcestershire amassed 237 for 2 to lead by 264 going into the final day.
The Pears are scenting their first Championship win at Edgbaston since 1993 after outplaying the home side with bat and ball on day three.
Warwickshire lost their last five wickets for 27 to fold to 333 all out (Nathan Smith 3 for 49, Adam Finch 3 for 56). That give the visitors a lead of 27 which they enhanced in highly entertaining fashion as Kashif struck 16 fours and five sixes, supported by Jake Libby (75 not out, 137 balls).
Related: Worcestershire rising star Kashif Ali and SACA blazing a trail for untapped talent
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