The good news from Wantage Road keeps coming.

The guys are out with the white paint now marking the creases.

The stumps are in one end.

We start in just over 20 minutes (party popper emoji).

Dropped catchpublished at 11:08 BST 4 September

11:08 BST 4 September

Hants 80-6 v Warks 398

Ben Brown edges Olly Hannon-Dalby.

Wicket-keeper Kai Smith dives in front of slip and gets his glove to the ball but can't hold on.

Image source, Shutterstock

Leaders Nottinghamshire had an excellent day yesterday, thanks largely to the brilliance of Jack Haynes and Liam Patterson-White.

Haynes's 159 was a career-best and his ton of the season, while Patterson-Whitew will resume his finely crafted 111 this morning.

The pair's 257 for the sixth wicket is a new record, beating the old one that had stood for more that a century.

Their bowlers then Leicestershire in trouble with two wickets before the close after Dillion Pennington's late roar.

With Somerset and Warwickshire going well in their games, Notts know they have to stay on it too.

50 for Matt Montgomerypublished at 11:06 BST 4 September

11:06 BST 4 September

Glos 237 v Derbyshire 182-2

Matt Montgomery plays a nice square cut for four to reach his half-century in 77 balls and give Derbyshire a confident start in Bristol.

They've added 20 to the overnight total and trail by 55 runs.

Asa Tribe has not been convincing so far but is showing a bit of grit and steps down the pitch to try and upset Migael Pretorius's length a little.

The response is a well-directed bouncer that whistles past Tribe's helmet. Good combative stuff.

Andrew Neal will have enjoyed sweeping his rival spinner Manav Suthar for four as Hampshire take five runs from the opening over of the day.

Olly Hannon-Dalby is bowling the second over of the day.

Image source, Shutterstock

The blustery showers that swept across the country this morning have largely fizzled out now (apart from in Kent it seems) so we can perhaps be a little more optimistic that we won't see too many further delays.

There are some showers around but hopefully they will dodge the cricket grounds.

It will be mostly cloudy and the forecast shows it will be quite a windy day too, making it feel a little chilly.

The forecast for tomorrow looks largely dry.

This is promising.

Covers are off and stumps are lying on the pitch ready for action.

The pitch is getting its final mow, ground staff milling much more happily it seems, hands thrust in pockets - hopefully that's a sign their work is pretty much done.

Umpires Tom Lungley and Ben Peverall having a chat.

We'll get the official time for any resumption soon.

A dozen runs added to the overnight total with three boundaries from Asa Tribe but all the momentum is with Somerset given all three were unconvincing edges off to third man.

Both Migael Pretorius and Lewis Gregory are consistently beating the outside edge and batting does not look easy out there. Plenty of interest and noise from the Somerset fielders.

There has been a delayed start due to overnight rain in Kent and it's currently tipping down.

That doesn't sound great but let's hope things improve soon.

Given their dominance in the match with a lead of 218, Kent supporters will be rehearsing their sun dance.

We have some cricket!

Play has started in Taunton and in Bristol.

The West Country drying out nicely it seems.

If it stays dry elsewhere, we should see more games getting going from about 11ish.

BBC Local Radio

When the weather improves, we'll bring you regular text updates across all four days of this round of the County Championship.

But you can also tune in to BBC Local Radio, flitting between the games that interest you, as you wish.

Just click the 'Watch & Listen' tab at the top of the page for coverage from all nine matches - when weather permits - or if you prefer you can listen to BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra who are jumping from ground to ground to keep you across all the action as the day goes on.

So umpires Mike Burns and Steve O'Shaughnessy have assessed conditions in Southampton and have reached a decision.

Play will get underway at 11:00 if there is no further rain.

It means we've lost the half hour that could have been added on at the end of the day to make up for earlier delays.

Hopefully there'll be plenty of excitement for you all when the game gets going!

The sopper is still chugging around the outfield at Wantage Road with the main covers on the pitch.

The tractor is optimistically attached to it though and three groundsmen (in wellies) are discussing the next move.

Hopefully one of them will hop in the tractor and pull the covers off soon.

In the meantime, we wait for an inspection..

Lewis Gregory is going to open the bowling from the Marcus Trescothick Stand End with Asa Tribe the facing batsman.

Mason Crane's dismissal with the last ball last night has brought Kiran Carlson to the wicket at the non striker's end.

Unfortunately it's a bit of a false start around the grounds this morning as wet weather means we are not under way anywhere yet.

But some delays are shorter than others so we should have some play very soon with Glos v Derbyshire scheduled to get going shortly.

If there is no more rain in Surrey then that one will get started at 11:15 BST.

Keep your fingers crossed that the umbrellas can be tucked away and we will see a good day's cricket.

A wet outfield has prevented a prompt start to day three at The Oval.

It'll take a little while to dry and the umpires plan a resumption at 11:15 if there's no further rain.

Given we're already in the fourth innings, a bit of a wait isn't going to worry anyone too much.

There will be a delay to the start of day three at Chelmsford with no inspection announced just yet.