That was quite something - what an enjoyable day. Well batted, Marchant de Lange and Dan Douthwaite - not to mention Adam Lyth (that feels like a million years ago now), Sir Alastair Cook, Ben Foakes, Luis Reece and Daryl Mitchell. With the exception of Douthwaite all those men passed 100 today. Well bowled Tim Murtagh and Craig Overton, too, Murtagh with the figures of the day (5-34) which helped Middlesex to that five-wicket victory against Sussex.

Thanks to all of you for reading and commenting! Let’s hope the miserable forecast for tomorrow proves to be entirely wrong. Bye!

Stumps everywhere except Northampton, but it looks like they are finishing there too ... And indeed they are. Fittingly, after such an incredible innings by Marchant de Lange (assisted by Dan Douthwaite), Northamptonshire’s clash with Glamorgan is the last match to finish on a very eventful day of action. Northants are 62-1 and need 127 more runs to win, weather permitting, tomorrow.

Stumps at Headingley. Lancashire close on 195-5, 65 behind Yorkshire. Vilas was out lbw for 41.

Four matches are still being played - Derbyshire are 318-4, Leicestershire 139-3, Lancashire 195-5, Northants 36-1.

Northants, by the way, are 35-1 chasing down that target, and need 154 more runs to beat Glamorgan, not that much play is expected tomorrow.

Thanks Paul Billington for your email, too:

“After three sub-par performances from Northamptonshire - including an amazing capitulation to Somerset - I finally thought they might get something from out of this tournament with at least an innings victory. Fast forward an hour, and I can’t even say I’m angry, just impressed. If you’re going to lose, may as well lose to something extraordinary.”

Well said, Paul. That really was special from De Lange and indeed Douthwaite.

An email arrives: “Crying into my cider”

“Hope you have a good book to hand for tomorrow, don’t think there will be much play anywhere.

“Twice in two matches Somerset have been dominant but the weather has handed the opponents a draw. Should be 4/4 but will probably be 2/4.

“Looking at the tables it will be very difficult for either Somerset or Worcs to get enough points to make the final now.

“Gutted, they have outplayed all the teams they have come up against and will have nothing to show for it.”

Commiserations to Charles Sheldrick but thank you for the email.

Bad light stops play in Taunton! The Somerset street party is put on hold, agonisingly!

Gloucs teetering at 63-8 having been bowled out for 76 in their first innings.

*FORMAL APOLOGY*

Sorry to all Lancashire fans out there for twice adding, inadvertently, to your team’s wickets tally today. Lessons will be learned.

Lancashire are 188-5 now and trail by 72. They have fairly raced on to that score.

At Grace Road, Colin Ackermann passes 50 for Leicestershire. They are 10 ahead now.

Another for Somerset! Gloucs 63-8. Overton removes Payne for one. That is four for Overton. Five overs left ...

Lancashire have lost another couple of quick ones against Yorkshire and are now 177-5, 83 behind. George Hill removes Rob Jones for 21, for his maiden first-class wicket.

Down in Radlett, Middlesex need seven to win, as the skies darken around London ...

Stumps at the Oval with the teams off for rain. Kent 118-9, 182 ahead of Surrey.

Jimmy Anderson now has 599 Test wickets ...

Sorry, Jimmy, but it’s Marchant de Lange’s day today.

The lesser-spotted live cricket has reared its head again in Taunton:

Gloucs are 61-7 now!

“I see Glammy pulled the old “reverse the batting order” swerve,” observes chopper1973. Certainly seems that way.

Middlesex need 18 to win against Sussex but the rain is apparently threatening ...

Now, Lancashire have raced on to 167-3, although Dane Villas was dropped at slip a few minutes ago. Lancs are 93 runs behind.

Leicestershire are about to achieve parity with Notts - they are 120-2.

“Had to do other things for a bit, I presume Glamorgan have long since BLOODY HELL.”

Lol, SonOfTheDesert, I just say lol to that.

Hampshire v Essex is done for the day due to rain. Surrey v Kent is due to restart at 6pm after a rain break. Middlesex are edging closer against Sussex, 159-5 now, they need 34 to win. No, they need 28, Simpson just smacked a six.

Luis Reece is OUT for Derbyshire, gone for a brilliant 122. They are 246-3, 91 behind.

“DeLange making Botham in 81 look like Chris Tavare,” observes Scotty848.

De Lange is out! He is gone for 113, the highest-ever score by a No 10 for Glamorgan in first-class cricket. What an amazing effort. Sensational. And fantastic by Douthwaite too, who scored 86.

Northants need 189 to win. If you had written this script, they’d say: “That’s really good, we’ll take that and turn it into a film.”

Warwickshire have moved on to 53-0 off 14 overs, in addition to their first-innings 355. Worcestershire declared earlier having amassed 410-7.

At the County Ground in Northampton, there seems to be a risk that the Marchant de Lange show will be brought to a temporary end by bad light ... Hogan is on 21 not out, Glamorgan 259-9 and 185 ahead.

I suppose, given the fact that the football season “finished” last night after the Champions League final, this is the first real day of the cricket season we’ve had all summer. Never mind the technicality that the next football season has already started. This is proper cricket now.

Middlesex are 139-5 as they chase that 193 v Sussex. Surrey and Kent are off for rain, with Kent on 118-9 and 182 ahead.

In Taunton, they are also off for rain again. They warned me it was going to be a stop-start kind of day ...

At Arundel, the umpires are going to have a look at 5.30pm.

Meanwhile, Hogan’s come in for Glamorgan, and has smashed back-to-back boundaries. De Lange can take a back seat now. It is a funny old game.

Douthwaite and De Lange piled on 168 for the ninth Glamorgan wicket. Pretty, pretty, pretty good.

Majid Khan apparently scored a 70-minute century against Warwickshire in 1972, so De Lange’s was the fastest-ever century for Glamorgan in terms of balls faced, but not time. #StatAttack

Derbyshire are 222-2, the most Richie Benaud-esque score you can possibly imagine. Durham posted 337-9 dec. Reece has his century for the hosts.

Leicestershire are 94-2 v Notts’ 343. Lancashire are 134-3 v Yorkshire’s 260.

What? There are other matches going on apart from the giants of Glamorgan v the titans of Northamptonshire?

OK, let’s take a look ...

Take a bow, Marchant de Lange

Can Middlesex do it? I asked. Probably not. They’ve lost another and are 130-5. They still need 63.

De Lange spanks another one for Glamorgan and moves to 98 ... and is then dropped going for his ton! Cricket - bloody hell.

As for Northampton’s chances of batting again - oh ye of little faith! Douthwaite is 76 not out, Marchant de Lange has 91 (!!!), and Glamorgan now lead by 128.

Middlesex have just lost another wicket. Robbie White lbw to Tom Haines for 35. They are 130-4 chasing 193. Can they do it?

“Thankfully I was entirely wrong about no more play in Taunton this round...even better Glos have gifted wickets since the restart,” says TransplantAthlete.

“Still looking very much like a race against the weather, though!”

There will be dancing in the streets of Yeovil tonight if they can pull this one off.

In Worcester, meanwhile, the hosts declared on 410-7, and Warwickshire are 8-0 in reply.

LANCASHIRE have only gone and lost a couple more. Davies gone for 73, Bohannon for five. They are 120-3, 140 in arrears against Yorkshire.

Kent nine down now for 118, and 182 ahead of Surrey.

Gloucestershire five down - another breakthrough for Somerset in Taunton - Josh Davey removes Roderick for nought. And now six! It’s 51-6!

Now, we all know that a lot of cricketers’ hair grew shaggy during lockdown, with England’s bowlers most noticeably sporting hairbands in recent weeks, before trips to the hairdressers were permitted again.

But, Ben Foakes of Surrey, this is just another level! Here he is celebrating his century at the Oval earlier today. Well batted, by the way.

Thanks to David Harding for the heads up.

In the Roses match, Lancashire are now 110-1, with Davies now 72 not out as they hunt down Yorkshire’s first-innings of total of 260.

Derbyshire are 174-1 v Durham, Leicestershire are 64-2 v Notts.

What else is going on?

The other game which may well reach an exciting conclusion this afternoon/evening is Middlesex v Sussex in the South Group. The hosts are 104-3 after a rain break / tea. Kent are 108-8 and lead Surrey by 175. At Arundel, there will be an inspection at 4.45pm.

So here I am, back from my tea break, to see there is not only some cricket in Taunton after that very long delay, but that Craig Overton has made an astonishing mess of George Hankins’ stumps. Gloucs are 42-4. Can Somerset cheat the weather and sneak a win?

Typical!

Keaton Jennings is out, lbw to Lyth for 23. Lancs are 104-1.

Kent are 102-8 now against Surrey. Essex still rained off at Arundel against Hampshire.

Elsewhere ... Lancashire have raced on to 102-0. What a belting start from Jennings and Davies.

Derbyshire have progressed to 144-1 against Durham while Leicestershire are 53-2 and still 68 runs behind Notts.

There is yet more rain in Worcester with the hosts 378-6.

HEAVY RAIN has just arrived at Radlett, with Middlesex 102-3 chasing 193 to win. Tea will be taken.

Glamorgan are 96-8 and Northants WILL bat again.

WEST COUNTRY WEATHER LATEST - not looking good in Taunton.

Given tomorrow’s forecast is rain, too, it looks likely that Somerset are going to miss out on a win.

Kent are 100-6 now and lead Surrey by 164. Four wickets for Clarke.

Middlesex are 86-3 against Sussex.

Lancashire are 90-0 against Yorkshire from 27 overs, and have not yet lost even one wicket, contrary to some previous rumours/typing errors.

Glamorgan 50-7 - rearguard action by Dan Douthwaite who is 29 not out.

“Have to say that it’s impressive that both Luke and the BBC are feverishly jinxing Lancs right now,” says HighPeakGeek.

It’s nothing intentional! Anyway, they are 76-0. Alex Davies has his 50.

Reece has 50 for Derbyshire, meanwhile, who are 134-1.

I wonder what became of that 3.15 inspection down in Somerset. We are about to find out. Probably.

Glamorgan 42-7 now. 31 runs shy of making their opponents have another bat.

If Test cricket is your thing, it seems they’re going to start again at 3.45pm at the Rose Bowl.

The over-by-over report is here, in case you want to take the odd glance at the international scene while being gripped by the Bob Willis Trophy action:

Lancashire have raced on to 63-0 now.

Derbyshire are still going very well indeed in the North Group. They’re 127-1.

That inspection at Taunton is in fact taking place at 3.15pm. Stay tuned.

Kent have fallen to 78-5 and Clarke now has three wickets. They are 143 ahead, though, so should set Surrey a very competitive total to chase.

Glamorgan lose another one in the Central Group, Taylor gone for nought, 30-6 now. Are Northants going to need to bat again? Glamorgan still trail by 43.

South Group: Middlesex are 57-2 having lost Holden and Gubbins. Beautifully poised, that one.

North Group: Lancashire are 46-0 off 18 overs replying to Yorkshire’s 260.

Central Group: Worcestershire are 325-6, Hannon-Dalby with three wickets for Warwickshire.

There will be an inspection at Taunton AKA Ciderabad at 3pm, and the word on the street is they are optimistic about getting some cricket in this afternoon. Which would be nice.

In the South Group, Kent have lost three now for 68, with a couple of wickets for Rikki Clarke. Middlesex have raced on to 43-0 against Sussex. Apparently it’s really tipping down at Arundel now and it looks like Hampshire v Essex is going to be washed out for the day, if not the match given the forecast for tomorrow. Essex are 249-3.

Speaking of racing on, Alex Davies is 26 not out for Lancashire while at the other end, Jennings has just three - they are 37-0 against Yorkshire in the North Group.

Glamorgan are having a terrible time in the Central Group, meanwhile, collapsing to 21-5. Their ship is listing horribly again.

Derbyshire have lost Billy Godleman for 51, the openers falling two short of a century opening partnership against Durham.

Leicestershire have lost Hassan Azad for six, removed by Nottinghamshire’s Peter Trego, and are 14-1. They’re still 107 behind.

Lancashire have moved on to 32-0 against Yorks while Glamorgan have steadied the ship for now and are 15-3.

Tom Fell has 50 for Worcestershire, who are 304-3 after losing Jack Haynes, who scored 51.

Middlesex are 42-0 chasing 193 to win and Kent have moved to 63-2 against Surrey, leading by 127.

Don’t forget - you can email me or tweet @LukeMcLaughlin with your thoughts on the action.

The man himself. Looking good, Keaton!

Is this a rare photo of Keaton Jennings and his bouffant lockdown hairstyle, on the left? I rather think it is. Thanks schnaffi -

https://yorkshireccc.com/uploads/crop_image/680/453/20200824102031_sw45_Yorkshire%20v%20Lancashire.jpg

Does anyone need to buy a cricket net? They are now in stock at a reputable cricket equipment shop in Ealing, according to an email I just received:

• Provides a spacious area to play all your shots with all the aggression and power you desire.
• No more broken windows, lost balls and angry neighbours.

Sounds dreamy. I will take three.

Glamorgan are 7-3 now. At Radlett, meanwhile, there was a splash of rain and the teams were heading off, but now it seems it’s passed and they are carrying on. Middlesex are 23-0 chasing 193.

Lancs have moved on to 20-0 in the Roses match and Derbyshire are ticking along very nicely against Durham at 96-0.

BREAKING: Raining again in Somerset. They must be desperate to get out there, too, what with Gloucs being 14-3 after already being bowled out for 76, and all that.

To everyone who has wished me a good afternoon in the comments: good afternoon to you too. Nice to have you on board. Looking forward to a few hours of top Bob Willis Trophy action.

We’re back under way across the country for the afternoon session for most of these matches in the Bob Willis Trophy. But not in Somerset, where there will be a further inspection at 2pm, or at Arundel, where Essex’s progress against Hampshire has been interrupted by rain.

At Grace Road, Nottinghamshire have declared on 349 and Leicestershire are batting again. They are 7-0 and trail by 114, having scored 222 first time around.

Matt Winter emails:

“How is it possible for a modern county ground to have a wet outfield right though until lunch?”

I don’t know! How hard did it rain in Somerset, can anyone tell me?

Does this look a fraction high, or is it just my natural batsman’s ‘not out’ instinct?

Glamorgan lost a couple of quick ones in their second innings just before lunch and are 2-2, still trailing Northants, who have batted just the once, by 71. Elsewhere in the Central Group, no play was possible between Somerset and Gloucestershire before lunch. Gloucs are 14-3 and are 370 behind, very much up against it when play does resume in the fourth and final innings of that match. In the other Central Group tie, the group leaders Worcestershire are 244-2, trailing by 111 against Warwickshire.

What about the North Group? Well, the group leaders Derbyshire are racing along at 87-0 in reply to Durham’s 337-9 dec. In the Roses match Adam Lyth notched a hundred before Yorkshire were bowled out for 260. Lancashire are 3-0 in reply at lunch. Nottinghamshire, meanwhile, are 343-8 and building a healthy first-innings lead against Leicestershire, who were all out for 222.

In the shandy-drinking South Group, Middlesex are 17-0 chasing 193 to win against Sussex, so that could be a helluva exciting finish. England’s No 2 gloveman Ben Foakes smacked a hundred for Surrey at the Oval as they posted 278 in response to Kent’s 342 and Kent are now 35-1 in their second innings. Leaders Essex, last but by no means least, have been steered to 249-3 against Hampshire at Arundel by the irrepressible Alastair Cook, who is 129 not out at the luncheon interval.

Rain is now hammering down at the Rose Bowl, with the teams already in the biosecure pavilion for a spot of sanitised lunch.

Meanwhile, Middlesex have raced to 17-0 chasing 193 just before lunch against Sussex ...

In the South Group, Sussex have just been bowled out for 102! Middlesex require 193 to win. If either of those sides are going to make the final they need a win, so it should be an exciting day. Who is your money on there?

The South Group leaders Essex have moved on to 263-3 against Hampshire at Arundel, Cook purring along at 126 not out.

Derbyshire are continuing a solid start replying to Durham’s 337-9 dec. They are 65-0.

Yorkshire, meanwhile, are nine down for 259 now. Notts are 319-7, while Northamptonshire have been bowled out for 332, meaning a first-innings lead of 73 against Glamorgan.

There will be no play before lunch in Somerset. The centurion Mitchell has fallen for Central Group leaders Worcestershire, and they’re 238-2 now, replying to Warwickshire’s 355-9 dec.

It’s lunch at the Test, Pakistan 41-0 and trailing by 269.

“How fast are Kent going to collapse now, do we think,” asks fantaloupe.

Surrey were dismissed for 278, Ben Foakes hitting a fine 118, and Kent have lost Daniel Bell-Drummond for 18 - they are 18-1 now.

Might we see a grandstand finish in Sussex v Middlesex in the South Group today?

Meanwhile - Daryl Mitchell has also passed 100 for Worcestershire, and they are now 214-2 replying to Warwickshire’s 355-9 dec.

So that’s centuries for Lyth, Foakes, Cook and Mitchell today already. Box office.

Pakistan are going well so far down at the Rose Bowl, 41-0. I have heard the odd rumour that Jos Buttler dropped a catch behind the stumps off Sir Jimmy of Anderson, mind you.

Miriam, who is listening to the Roses match on radio, has emailed in to tell the commentators she is about to make her first attempt at damson jam. Anyone else?

My statistician tells me Sir Alastair ‘Chef’ Cook has just passed 24,000 first-class runs. That, by any standards, is not too shabby.

Thanks for the comment, pingissimus:

“Interesting one for Essex

“Should they just go for maximum batting points today or try and get some bowling points in before weather comes in tomorrow?

“Could end up neck and neck with Derbyshire if today is all we get.”

Essex are 183-3 at Arundel now, and someone called Cook has just got his ton.

Scotty848: “Oh my good god a dolly dropped off Jimmy again.

“Yes, I know, this is the county cricket comments section, but his anger will blot out the sun soon and all the county games will be off for bad light.”

Look, this isn’t a blog exclusively about Buttler v Foakes, OK?

Now, AngryMatt emails in: “Such a pity Foakes isn’t considered a good enough batsman to get into the England team as a wicketkeeper despite being recognised as one of the best keepers in the world... Sigh. What’s that, Buttler’s just failed to get a glove on a regulation edge at Southampton? I guess Ed Smith will have been looking away just at that moment, meaning it didn’t actually happen...”

Full Bob Willis score update to follow very soon. Really.

westcorkthinktank cranks up the heat on the Buttler v Foakes debate: “Hot on Lyth’s heel’s is a fine century off 170 balls from Ben Foakes. Just as the ball thuds into Jos Buttler’s thigh. Don’t expect the controversy to go away soon!”

Very decent caught + bowled by Tim Murtagh for Middlesex, here ...

Sussex are 67-5 now.

It’s all happening, isn’t it? Ben Foakes has just got his ton for Surrey against Kent. Surrey are 260-8 replying to Kent’s 342.

Galactus says: “Genuine congratulations to Adam Lyth on his century. Now please get out.”

“I’ll just congratulate Adam Lyth now to get it out the way,” adds HighPeakGeek.

I’ve never thought about Adam Lyth and the emotions he provokes as much as I am doing right now. It’s new territory.

Here’s a spot of action from Leicester v Notts - Joe Clarke out early this morning, caught by Gavin Griffiths off the bowling of Ben Mike for two. Notts are now 245-3 and lead by 23 runs.

And Adam Lyth has just moved to 100. Yorkshire 200-6.

Adam Lyth has moved to 92 not out for Yorkshire against Lancashire. Yorkshire are 188-6. On the radio, questions are being asked as to why the rain-threatened county matches couldn’t have started at 10.30am today, with no attending supporters to consider. It’s a fair question, isn’t it?

Somerset v Gloucestershire is the only match that hasn’t started yet, it’s been delayed due to a wet outfield, although there are at least some blue skies to be seen.

Hello everyone. A glance at the Met Office Rain Radar suggests we will get plenty of play across the country today with a liberal smattering of rain showers thrown in. Indeed, England have already bowled a few deliveries at Pakistan at the Rose Bowl, despite previous predictions of early rain, with Jimmy Anderson poised on 598 Test wickets. Of course we’re all about the Bob Willis Trophy here on this blog, and I’ll be scanning the counties’ social media feeds like a man possessed for the latest updates. Do get in touch on email, Twitter or comment BTL with your thoughts ...