And thanks to Mes for this!
Fresh from his sprightly 70 yesterday, more good news for Joe Root – Ben Stokes is going to return him to his preferred place at No. 4 in the order.
Start of play scoreboard
DIVISION ONE
Chelmsford: Essex 403 v Yorkshire 425-5
The Rose Bowl: Hampshire 342 and 204 v Gloucestershire 179 and 111-2 Gloucs need 333 to win.
Old Trafford: Lancashire 361v Warwickshire 315 and 4-0
The Oval: Surrey 401 all out v Northants 194 and 202. Surrey win by an innings and five runs.
DIVISION TWO
Sophia Gardens: Glamorgan 437 v Leicestershire 320 and 158-7
Hove: Sussex 392 and 236-3 v Middlesex 358
New Road: Worcestershire 309 and 85-2 v Durham 580-6dec (STOKES 161, 88 balls, 8 fours, 17 sixes) and 170-1dec
Preamble
Good morning from an overcast Old Trafford. I suspect we’lll meander to a draw here, and at Chelmsford, but elsewhere there is more to put a fizz in your lazy Sunday morning. Leicester are in big trouble, but Sussex, Worcestershire and Gloucestershire can arm up for 11’clock with possibility in their back pocket.