We don't know what they had for lunch at Grace Road but it's certainly slowed Sussex down a bit.

Four overs bowled since the re-start and just five runs added by the visitors.

Tom Clark is 54 not out and James Coles has 16.

Ben Foakes gets off the mark for the summer with a delicious clip off his pads from Ethan Bamber which races to the square leg boundary.

Perfect timing, perfect weight, what pressure?

Tom Lawes is at the other end for the visitors.

An on drive from Josh Bohannon off the bowling of Ben Sanderson just beats mid on and trundles to the rope to bring up three figures for Lancs in the opening over of the second session.

Olly Stone and Lyndon James take the opening overs after lunch.

James Rew plays a lovely straight drive, and turns down what would have been a comfortable one even with Haseeb Hameed again busily diving to his left from mid off.

Stone opens with a maiden before James is driven for two by Rew for the first runs of the second session.

The umpires have taken a look at Sophia Gardens and although the news could be worse, it isn't great for those waiting to see Division One cricket in south Wales for the first time in over 20 years.

They will carry out a further inspection at 14:45 BST so let's keep fingers crossed that rain will stay away and we might see some action later on.

Ben Foakes joins Dom Sibley in the middle for the afternoon session.

Ethan Bamber sends down two dot balls to finish the over he began before lunch.

3-22 from 10 overs for the former Middlesex man. He's hit the ground running in 2026.

Keith Dudgeon opens the afternoon with a no-ball, and Emilio Gay moves to 63* a couple of balls later.

First hour of the afternoon should be crucial under blue skies, but with shocking weather 50 miles or so to the west of CLS.

Thank you, Bill. And for all those with this page open in surreptitious tabs on work computers or hiding subtle earphones to listen to the carousel of commentaries, we see you, we have been you, you're why we love doing this.

Onward to session two of the season...

Image source, Getty Images

England's Brendon McCullum held a call with county cricket head coaches and directors on Wednesday amid unrest between the domestic and international game.

The relationship between England and the counties has come under scrutiny following this winter's Ashes defeat and England and Wales Cricket Board managing director Rob Key has spoken about wanting to improve relations.

Surrey head coach Gareth Batty said last month the route from county cricket to the Test team has become "misted over" since McCullum and Key took charge in 2022, while Sussex head coach Paul Farbrace has said McCullum has "no interest" in the county game.

Both head coach McCullum and Key were on Wednesday's call, along with ECB performance director Ed Barney, Troy Cooley, who has returned to the ECB as men's pace bowling lead, David Court, whose remit covers player identification at the ECB, and county coaches and directors of cricket.

The ECB contingent outlined what they are looking for in future England and England Lions players.

Click here for more.

A passing shower has delayed a 13:15 BST pitch inspection in Cardiff, but we're hoping the officials should be getting out there any time now to have a stroll and a chat.

Let's hope it's not too squelchy.

Starting the season on a winning notepublished at 13:31 BST 3 April

13:31 BST 3 April

Rothesay Domestic Cricket Journalism Awards 2026

Image source, Cricket Media Club

Earlier this week, for the first time since 2017, BBC Sport won the Outstanding Online Coverage award at the Domestic Cricket Journalism Awards, held at Lord's.

The judging panel provided the following feedback as to why they selected us as this year’s winner: “BBC Sport Online showed a great commitment to covering all aspects of the domestic game. Men and women’s cricket, events on and off the field, news stories and features, no stone was left unturned in their online coverage of domestic cricket.

"With a great ability for story-telling - as well as enormous fan engagement through their live blogs - their coverage fed a large and engaged audience.”

We love what we do, but thank you for your continued support and engagement and we'll strive to make this year even better!

Congratulations to the winners in the other categories too.

It's been a very special first session of the first day too, Stephen. But we are certainly all very glad to be back, and delighted to have you all with us once again...

Dave Bracegirdle
BBC Radio Nottingham commentator

Image source, PA Media

Defending county champions Nottinghamshire needed only one session to pick up their first point of the new season but they may feel that three wickets is the very least they should have secured in favourable bowling conditions.

Olly Stone, in his first match for the county since 2024, matched Dillon Pennington’s accuracy in an opening burst which saw them both return figures of 1-10 from six overs.

Somerset’s rebuild wasn’t without one or two scares but Josh Thomas and James Rew added 52 before being separated by the spin of Liam Patterson-White.

With the floodlights on and heavy cloud cover all around batting isn’t likely to get any easier.

Mike Taylor
BBC WM commentator

Image source, PA Media

Warwickshire’s refurbished seam attack performed strongly in favourable conditions after winning the toss, but their most successful bowler Ethan Bamber will have left the field for lunch feeling happiest of all.

He claimed all three wickets to fall to bowlers, two of them in a second spell just before the break - Ollie Pope, lbw to an inswinger, and Dan Lawrence edging a firm drive to third slip.

Earlier he had found Jamie Smith’s edge as well, after Smith had looked as classy as it is possible to look while making only nine.

Ed Barnard won round one of the battle of the captains by running out his opposite number Rory Burns in the first 10 minutes.

Dom Sibley, never fluent, was immovable in response to Burns’ call for a single, but the latter would have to concede on reflection that Sibley was a good judge.

Kevan James
BBC Radio Solent commentator

One of those mini-sessions under cloudy skies where both sides will find some positives.

Hampshire claimed two wickets in the one and a quarter hour of play, and Essex will feel it could have been worse.

Kyle Abbott’s line and length was impeccable and could have brought him more than the one wicket, but Tom Westley has played beautifully off his legs.

Prior to the start at 11:45 both teams lined up facing the pavilion to observe a minutes silence in honour of the late Robin Smith

Image source, Dave Vokes Photography

Adrian Harms
BBC Sussex

Image source, Adrian Harms/BBC Sussex

Sussex have put their off field problems behind them with a sensational start to the season

Having lost the toss and been asked to bat on a green tinged pitch Sussex plundered some erratic Leicestershire bowling to all parts

Tom Haines staked an early England claim with a 52-ball half-century including 10 fours before playing a sloppy shot to be caught behind.

But the innings of the morning came from Tom Clark, dropped by Jake Weatherald at slip when he'd scored just six, he then timed the ball beautifully and his half century included two sixes and seven fours.

A first session shortened by damp conditions early on at the Utilita Bowl finishes with Essex two down and a spring in Hampshire steps.

Making the most of the overheads, Hants have prised out both openers Dean Elgar and Paul Walter whilst keeping a tight hold on the flow of runs as well.

Kyle Abbott and Sonny Baker provided the breakthroughs, both finding edges which were smartly taken behind the stumps, at gully and wicketkeeper.

The drop of Tom Westley by Joe Weatherley (he had 16 at the time with Essex on 27-1) is the only black mark on the report card.