The waiting goes on at Sophia Gardens.

Two inspections so far - and there will be another at 15:30 BST.

Ben Foakes feels like the key to any chance of this happening, Chris. But even bowling Surrey out without them scoring a batting bonus point (250) is not something many teams get to do.

Postpublished at 14:58 BST 3 April

14:58 BST 3 April

Leics v Sussex 217-3

Six number four for Tom Clark, who is now 85 not out.

Once again he targets the mid-wicket boundary - this time off Ian Holland - and once again clears the rope with some ease.

Vital 50-stand from 100 balls for Surrey. Ben Foakes making a classy 30 of them with Tom Lawes 21 at the other end.

Just what the doctor ordered for the 2025 runners-up at a now sunny Edgbaston.

Yadvinder Singh is into his second spell for Leicestershire and surprises Jack Leaning with one which keeps a little low - but he overstepped and the no-ball takes the Sussex total up to 200.

Leaning stuck the first boundary of his innings in the previous over, steering a ball from Sam Wood through the covers off the back foot.

Given Italy are not a full member nation, it would not seem to be a deal-breaker for Bedford-born Emilio Gay's international chances for England. And a knock like today's, given the pace of it, and the array of strokes, will only get his name on the radar - he has previously played for England Lions too, of course.

Ben McKinney was the Durham player many people were expecting to be in that equation this spring, and he possesses a wealth of talent, but day one of the season has certainly belonged to Gay.

Martin Emmerson
BBC Radio Newcastle

Emilio Gay has made a little bit of cricketing history today as he became the first centurion of the 2026 County Championship season.

He's rarely looked in trouble and has stroked some lovely shots around the ground for his 11th century in first-class cricket. It's his fifth for Durham.

The hundred came in 111 balls and included 18 fours. He batted through some difficult conditions after lunch, with low cloud and drizzle in the air. And the lights were on.

But, no sooner had he got there, the umpires took the players off for bad light - just as the sun was coming out! They were off for a total of four minutes.

Jack Leaning is under way with a single for new county Sussex.

The former Yorkshire and Kent all-rounder has been brought in to add experience to the middle-order and he will be hoping to help Tom Clark - who is 76 not out - build on the positive start the visitors have made to this game.

50 for Bohannonpublished at 14:46 BST 3 April

14:46 BST 3 April

Northants v Lancs 161-1

Josh Bohannon has pin-stepped the last few strides on his way to this half century but he is there with a clip to Calvin Harrison that dribbles its way up to mid on.

He raises his bat to a 26th first class fifty and walks up the wicket to get a pat on the shoulder from Luke Wells.

Yep, you read that right... the light has improved so much in three minutes that they are back out again.

All very strange. The worst of the rain appears to have slid past over Sunderland and the covers never came on, so we're back on the field again...

for Caleb Jewellpublished at 14:41 BST 3 April

14:41 BST 3 April

Derbys 154-2 v Worcs

Caleb Jewell had a very productive first season for Derbyshire, scoring over 1,000 runs in 2025. Perhaps his only cause for concern was converting just one of his nine 50s into a hundred.

A glorious off-drive from the bowling of Tom Taylor brings the Aussie opener a ninth boundary and a 104-ball half-century as he hits the ground running at the start of a new campaign.

Let's see if he's learned from last season's experiences - he'll be hoping to turn this solid start into a 'biggie'.

The cricket season is well and truly back.

The good news for Durham is that Emilio Gay reached three figures before the bad light arrived at Chester-le-Street, where it is very gloomy all of a sudden and the lights are on as the players head off. This looks to be a pre-emptive strike as the worst of the weather seems to still be a mile or two away.

John sent this about 60 seconds before Kent picked up their fourth wicket of the day. That said, they have not bowled as tightly as they would like today.

for Emilio Gaypublished at 14:35 BST 3 April

14:35 BST 3 April

Durham 191-4 v Kent

Image source, Getty Images

This has felt inevitable since long before lunch.

What a knock from Emilio Gay and what a start to the season. As efficient as you will see. Punishing the looser balls with a flurry of boundaries, dealing with anything onto his pads with great aplomb.

The 25-year-old, who made his Italy T20 debut last summer, brings up three figures from 111 balls with 18 fours, picking up a couple off Joey Evison.

Brilliant stuff, and he celebrates like he knows it.

Tom Abell nails a pull shot too well, nearly carries to long leg, but goes for four.

He is catching up James Rew here who is more becalmed since lunch time.

Ben Sanderson momentarily thinks he has his man but strangles his own appeal after rapping Josh Bohannon just about in front of leg stump.

Now Calvin Harrison hits the Lancashire man's front pad as he tries to sweep from the other end.

Bohannon, who is on 44, has looked in great nick so far but is stuttering slightly as he approaches his half century.