If you want some hits and giggles when this is done, Daniel Gallan is describing the T20 here. You need never leave the house.

Somerset nine down, for 153, and Tom Banton hobbles out with a runner, Randell we think. Don’t get timed out Bants.

There’s been talk that Tom Banton is padded up and prepared to gingerly make his way out to the middle at Taunton should he be needed, with Somerset eight down. Craig Overton is playing smartly though, and has moved on to 20, his side 135 for 8.

“News just in: Shakib Al Hasan really is quite good,” quips HighPeakGeek BTL. “Expecting Surrey to announce for the next match they’ve discovered a time machine and have signed 1981 Viv Richards on a short term deal.”

Anyway, with loads going on, I need to retreat to write this all up for the paper. Keep chatting among yerselves.

We’ve not checked in on Chelmsford for a while, but Notts are making decent progress in their second innings. Following on against Essex, they’ve advanced to 119-2, with Haseeb Hameed well set on 76. There’s still a lot of batting for them to do though.

Somerset are eight down now, Randell edging Worrall behind. Jack Leach comes to the crease, needing to play the second best innings of his life. 122-8.

Some good news for Kent: they’ve scored 70 whole runs in their second innings following on without losing a wicket. Tuwanda Muyeye has cracked seven fours and a six in his unbeaten 48. The Zimbabwe born youngster is one to keep an eye on. But they’re off for rain again now – Kent are 126 behind Hampshire. We might get a finish at Northampton tonight too – Yazvendra Chahal has taken four wickets to reduce Derbyshire to 97-6 in pursuit of 266.

And it’s seven: James Rew, who had played well for 29, edges Shakib to slip. Somerset 117-7. We’re not gonna get much play tomorrow …

The closing stages of each first innings look like being decisive at Taunton: Somerset crumbling from a very strong position of 300 for 5 on day one, contrasting with Tom Curran’s belligerent knock dragging Surrey’s innings back from the brink today. Them’s the margins that differentiate champions and runners-up.

Somerset six down at Taunton! I was just about to post: “Somerset have progressed gingerly without alarms since tea”. Now I’m not going to post that, I’m going to inform you that Shakib Al Hasan has trapped Lewis Gregory lbw pushing forward and claimed a third wicket. It’s been a tale of spinners old and new at Taunton today. Somerset now 111-6 (effectively seven), 107 ahead of Surrey.

The end is nigh for Leicestershire, and any slim chance they may have of being in the promotion reckoning. Hill gets Scriven lbw and it’s 189-8.

Talking of Yorkshire, some thoughts about their future BTL from WestCorkThinkTank

Let me be the first to congratulate Johnny Tattersall on becoming Yorkshire’s new captain. I thought something was afoot when the Yorkshire website had two consecutive articles praising his captaincy. Now I see that Shan Masood, whose contract is up this year, is likely to play for the Stallions in a hastily arrainged Pakistan cup competition and won’t be available for the rest of the season. Sounds like a bit of mutual agreement between the club and the player.

I was going to ask Daddy Pig what was going on (he won’t know but his son will) now I don’t think I need to.)

What Yorkshire need is a captain who is there all season and is prepared to let Bairstow keep when he wants to play (and that just might be a lot next year)

They’ve resumed at Northampton, where the bottom two are hurtling towards a result. Derbyshire have lost another wicket in their pursuit of 266, the canny Chahal winkling out Reece for 15. The visitors are 68 for 3, chasing 266.

Lancs lose a third, a proper Test-class ripper from Matt Potts accounting for George Bell. They’re 54 for 3, just the 291 runs in arrears.

“Oh Tom, how could you?” scoffs too many people to mention, regularly Schnaffi BTL. “I was just going to mention how admirable Rehan Ahmed’s innings was with wickets falling all around him, and now he’s gone.”

Ah sorry about that. Yeah, Ahmed’s gone for 77, caught by Adam Lyth off the seamer George Hill, who now has three wickets. Yorkshire’s win only a matter of time, and weather, now.

Play is set to resume at Taunton at 4.05pm.

Rain at Taunton, which might bring some respite to Somerset in the circumstances, though they do need to get out there at some point to try – somehow – to fashion a winning position. It’s also raining at Lord’s and Chelmsford, so let’s turn our attention to the Division Two promotion race, where the stream commentators are busy chuntering about biscuits as they watch Glamorgan plod on, 138-4 in the second innings with Kiran Carlson going nicely on 41 but the leaders Sussex still 167 ahead.

Talking of biscuits, or rather food, I had a very agreeable curry at Chelmsford yesterday, which got me to thinking about cricket ground scran? What is the best and what is the worst or most overpriced? I tend to take my own sarnies when I watch cricket recreationally but would welcome thoughts.

Worcestershire are going to have to bat again, by the looks, with Will Rhodes (66) and Sam Hain (22) assembling a handy little partnership at New Road to take the visitors to 164 for 2 second time out. The Bears are only 15 behind now. While at Grace Road Rehan Ahmed is doing his best to delay the inevitable, 71 not out while Leicestershire struggle on at 183-6. Matt Fisher has three wickets and Yorkshire still lead by 98.

And yet another wicket at Taunton! Jordan Clark has struck again, trapping Tom Lammonby – who had looked the most composed Somerset batter thus far – for 24. Somerset are 75-5, leading by 71.

They’ve gone off for rain at Chelmsford, with Notts making a better fist of their second innings at 98-2, though they still trail by 266. Haseeb Hameed reminds us that he’s still basically a very good batter by easing to 44. No official word still about the looming 12-point deduction. It’s absurd enough that it’s taken them since April to deal with this, and the ECB is lucky this won’t really have any bearing on the title race or relegation issues.

Do Surrey have one hand on the trophy? Jordan Clark has just bowled Kasey Aldridge, Somerset are 54 for 4 and with Tom Banton going for a scan tomorrow, in all likelihood effectively 54 for 5. How Tom Curran has turned this game with his late-order hitting: the momentum is all with the champions now.

Will Rhodes is again proving his worth for Warwickshire as they attempt a rescue act at New Road. Fresh from a double hundred against Kent last week, he’s eased to 50 as his side follow on against Worcestershire. Warwicks are 130-2, 49 behind. Rehan Ahmed’s attempting a similar job for Leicestershire against Yorkshire – he’s reached his half-century with his side 138-4, still 143 behind in their second innings.

A third wicket for Surrey to celebrate, and a second for Shakib Al Hasan, again finding teasing turn against the right-hander, Tom Abell in this instance, to leave Somerset 37 for 3. And with no Tom Banton able to come out at No 5. Kasey Aldridge is the new man in.

In other news, oh Lancashire. They’re 2-1 already, Jennings dismissed by Potts. And Gloucestershire fancy making a game of it at Lord’s. After a sparkling knock of 86 at No 8 from Zafar Goher, they’ve declared on 309-9, 68 behind, against Middlesex, who are 25-0 second time round.

It’s all unravelling for Somerset – Kemar Roach has bowled Lewis Goldsworthy for the second time in the match, the opener misreading a pull and edging on to the top of his stumps. To compound their woes, first-innings centurion Tom Banton has picked up an injury while warming up that makes his participation in the second dig doubtful. Somerset are 13-2, a mere nine ahead. Notts have lost Ben Slater to Harmer at Chelmsford; they’re 39-1 following on.

Archie Vaughan is fallible – the Somerset opener is out, done by a smart delivery from Shakib, spearing it in and then turning it away from him a tad. And there’s more joy for Sussex at the top of the second tier: Henry Crocombe slants one in at Billy Root and splattering off and middle to leave Glamorgan 55-2.

One brings two at Chester-le-Street (sort of); Ben Raine is dismissed by Luke Raine for 17. Durham 556-6, with Bedingham needing 30 more for his triple ton – is that the declaration point?

And Toby Roland-Jones has a five-fer, with Gloucestershire on 292-8, 85 behind. Is it worth popping along to Lord’s tomorrow?

Rain stalks the east Midlands, with the players currently in the pavilion at Leicester, where Leics are 90-3 and battling to save the game against Yorkshire, and at Wantage Road, where Derbyshire are 26-2 chasing a victory target of 266 against Northants.

Terrific statwork from SonOfTheDesert BTL, who puts the Bedingham and Ackerman in some glowing context:

Colin Ackermann has joined a very elite group: Ajay Jadeja; Darren Bicknell; Mahela Jayawardene; Frank Worrell; Graeme Hick; Kumar Sangakkara; Marshall Ayub; Mark Ramprakash; Neil McKenzie; Rohan Kanhai; Bill Ponsford; Don Bradman; Ravindra Jadeja; Rahul Dravid

These are the only players (I think) to have been involved in two First Class partnerships of more than 400 runs

We’ve not talked about Kent today ,and their fans will probably be glad of that. Despite a decent sixth-wicket stand of 79 between Joey Evison and Harry Finch, they’re still in trouble at 154 for 8, way behind Hampshire’s 403. Kyle Abbott has taken five wickets.

AND LANCASHIRE HAVE TAKEN A WICKET! Luke Wells has trapped Colin Ackermann in front for a piffling 186, ending a partnership of 425. Bedingham is still there on a career-best 258 though. Lancs 530-5 and they might want to look at declaring.

Never write off a Curran, or Surrey. Tom C has given Surrey a slender first-innings lead with a brilliant counterattacking 86 off 75 balls, featuring eight sixes, before being dismissed by Jack Leach. Surrey all out 321 – six wickets for Vaughan, four for Leach, who sent 48.2 overs. Ciderebad vibes in full effect. It’s beautifully set up now.

They’re taking the extra half-hour at Taunton, with Surrey nine down, so the break there could be as late as 1pm. I, however, am not – and will grab my break now. Keep chatting BTL and I’ll be back soon after a frenetic morning, on and away from the fields of play.

A timely ninth wicket for Somerset: Jack Leach traps Kemar Roach lbw with one that skids on, ending a rapidfire 50 partnership powered by Tom Curran’s aggression. Surrey 282-9, just 35 behind.

A catch at short leg gives Simon Harmer his fourth wicket and Notts are all out 93, Essex responding to the points-deduction reports in defiant style.

More twists and turns at Taunton: a brutal assault by Tom Curran has brought him a 36-ball half-century, cashing in as Somerset loosen the stranglehold with an over from Lewis Goldsworthy getting particular savage treatment. Surrey 272-8 now and a first-innings lead can’t be ruled out.

And Notts are 93-9: what a potent thing Essex’s attack can be when Jamie Porter (who now has five), Sam Cook and Simon Harmer are on song.

David Bedingham and Colin Ackermann have set a new record fifth-wicket partnership for Durham – it currently stands at 373 and rising – with Durham 472 for 4. All of which provokes JamesMoriarty to have a rant BTL about the absolute state of Lancashire:

TBH, I doubt relegation will make any difference in the corridors of power at Investors in People HQ. There’s an expectation that it will all be alright and we’ll be promoted again in 2025 (Jimmy Anderson permitting, of course).

We won’t, of course. We’ll be partying until a decent coach who can build a team comes along.

There will be suggestions of “developing young players” and “England call-ups” and “injuries to key personnel” but in truth there are players we let go would walk into this “first” XI and do more than a job.

Epic mis-management from the top down.

A fine catch by Essex’s man of the moment, Michael Pepper, gives Jamie Porter another wicket and Notts are in ruins at 84 for 7.

Sussex are finally all out against Glamorgan, for 491, with Tom Clark ending unbeaten on a 112 from 238. Ben Kelloway’s five-wicket haul the only crumb of comfort for the Welsh side. They’ll begin their second dig needing a mere 306 to make the hosts bat again at Hove.

At Taunton, Tom Curran is counterattacking with aplomb, to take Surrey to 247-8 with a batting bonus point imminent. And Northants have been bowled out for 211, leaving Derbyshire a target of 266.

Archie Vaughan has a five-fer … no make that six-fer. Jordan Clark clips to midwicket where Tom Abell takes a low catch, and the teenager is engulfed by teammates, lofted in the air by James Rew. And then he gets the new man, Cameron Steel, for a duck, clean bowling him. This is suddenly a result-match, and certainly a result pitch. You wouldn’t fancy batting fourth here. Surrey 228-8 and may even struggle for a batting point. This is enthralling.

Elsewhere, more woe for Notts as Jamie Porter sees off Kyle Verreynne. They’re 80 for six.

I’ve not mentioned Leicestershire v Yorkshire yet have I? It’s been a slightly frustrating morning for the visitors as Leicestershire advanced to 88-3 then it started raining. Victory procession on hold.

And another at Taunton! Ben Foakes’s watchful vigil ends on 37 – caught at short lef off that man Archie Vaughan again. Foakes looks disgruntled – there was some bat-or-pad uncertainty but it looked like one you’d give in real time. Surrey 220-6 with Tom Curran and Jordan Clark at the crease charged with the innings rebuilding job.

Fancy some good news Lancs fans? None for your boys I’m afraid – Durham are now more than 200 ahead on 432-4 – but Notts are in some serious bother now at 63 for 5 and Simon Harmer has figures of three for two after bamboozling Jack Haynes lbw for 1, Jamie Porter taking the other wicket to fall today.

Shakib goes! He may be able to handle Rawalpindi but can he hack Taunton? He’s just dollied up a caught and bowled to Leach with a mistimed forward push. Surrey 216-5. Game on!

Surrey’s freelance, Shakib Al Hasan, is at the crease now and shows his class with an effortless glided late cut for four off the Vaughan prodigy, who’s keeping the veteran Bangladesh all-rounder on his toes nonetheless – a bit of rip, a bit of flight, a bit of turn. The lad’s got it alright. Surrey 216-4 – Foakes 33, Shakib 12.

At sunny Durham, David Bedingham has passed 200 as the hosts rub Lancashire’s faces in the dirt. 421-4 now and up in the commentary box, to which the stream pans regularly and cruelly, Bumble has a face like thunder.

There’s a lovely Spin piece this week by Daniel Gallan, on collecting vintage cricket gear, almost as if there’s something innately nerdish and obsessive about following this great game of ours.

And while I’m sure most of you good people subscribe to the Spin already, but if you don’t you can sign up here.

Essex may be staring down the barrel of a points deduction but the masterful Simon Harmer is about his work nonetheless – he’s just had Ben Slater, who looked in good touch yesterday afternoon, caught low at slip for 29. Notts 49-3.

And Warwickshire have been skittled for 128, six for Tom Taylor. They may have to follow on.

Somerset strike! Jack Leach gets Ryan Patel with the new ball, caught by Lewis Gregory. Patel goes for a judicious, timely 70. The seamer Brett Randell is looking lively at the other end too. Surrey 201-4.

Essex turn to Simon Harmer and, whaddya know, he strikes straight away, trapping Freddie McCann leg before. Notts 48-2. That might cheer poor old Lancashire, whose labours in the field continue. Durham 394-4.

Some words about Worcestershire, who are putting their yo-yo club status to bed in emphatic fashion. A fourth win on the bounce looks on for Brett D’Oliveira’s side – they’ve taken four Warwickshire wickets already this morning, the seaming all-rounder Tom Taylor taking all of them. The visitors are 123-8 in reply to Worcestershire’s 307.

Somerset about to take the new ball with Surrey 193-3. They need to fashion something with it as a matter of urgency.

The mood music at Taunton remains as you were. Surrey proceeding cautiously and looking unruffled. Jack Leach and Craig Overton trying to make something happen – 182-3. Bedingham and Ackermann’s marathon stand continues at Durham – they’re 376-4 against Lancashire. But an epic stand has ended at Hove, with John Simpson with pinned in front by Glamorgan’s Ben Kelloway for 117. Tom Clark is closing in on his own hundred. Sussex 427-6.

An early scalp for Middlesex. Toby Roland-Jones has castled the potentially dangerous Tom Price for 14. Gloucestershire are 161-6, still 216 behind.

A Northants view: At this stage of the season, there’s a few meaningless games about that we’re perhaps overlooking a little. Northants v Derbyshire is one such, so I’ll hand the stage over to Scotty 848 BTL to vent a little.

Well...the match featuring two bald men fighting over a comb wasn’t even mentioned in the round up and I can’t say I blame them. Hoping for a KEOGH double ton and a quick fold from DCCC so we can advance towards the end of the season more quickly. Every round I’m starting at least one of the days with a rant, but rather than go into detail I can say I won’t be a member next year. I can’t justify the cost against a handful of days of cricket, most of them bad, and the current direction the club is going in. Maybe with a new coach and a clearout I’d reconsider but with one home win in five years and so much frustration around recruitment, youth, coaching etc it just isn’t worth it. Will still pop for the odd game and still follow it all on here or YouTube, unless they do a Leicestershire, ergh. I’ll be back when things get better. For now, there’s stupid sexy KEOGH on the radio, so things could be worse.

Some transfer news: Nottinghamshire, whose attack looked pretty innocuous at Chelmsford yesterday, have snapped up the New Zealand seamer Jacob Murphy for the final two games of the season. This from PA Media:

Nottinghamshire have signed New Zealand international bowler Jacob Duffy for their final two Vitality County Championship games of the season. Seamer Duffy, who has made 20 one-day and T20 appearances for his country, will be available to face his former county Kent and then Warwickshire.

Nottinghamshire are currently battling to avoid relegation from Division One. “Jacob is an exciting signing at a crucial time in the season for us,” Nottinghamshire head coach Peter Moores said. “We all know the importance of these final few weeks.”

Tuesday’s roundup: Surrey hold firm at Taunton, Pepper hits century

The Somerset teenager Archie Vaughan continues to make a name for himself. The 18-year-old son of the former England captain, Michael Vaughan, followed his fluent first-day 44 by taking all three Surrey wickets on day two with his right-arm off-breaks at Taunton. But the visitors and Championship leaders will have ended the day happier, having progressed cautiously to 169 for 3 in a match second-placed Somerset need to win.

After Vaughan claimed two early strikes, Ben Geddes, in only his seventh first-class match, made a fifty in a partnership with Ryan Patel, who did likewise. Vaughan then snared Geddes, inducing a top-edged sweep, but Patel and Ben Foakes kept things steady before the weather ended play early.

Among the relegation strugglers Lancashire are in deep trouble at Durham, who powered ahead of the visitors’ 228 thanks to a colossal partnership between South Africa’s David Bedingham, who returned from international duty with a daddy hundred, and Colin Ackermann, who also reached three figures just before stumps.

Their fellow toilers Nottinghamshire were made to suffer by an accomplished century from Essex’s Michael Pepper, who hit a hundred for the second consecutive match. Pepper was aided by a half-century from Simon Harmer as Essex ploughed beyond 450. The ever-lively Sam Cook then had the Notts captain, Haseeb Hameed, caught at backward point before the rain came.

Below them, doomed Kent capitulated again, crumbling to 63 for 5 after Tom Prest and Brad Wheal shepherded Hampshire’s tail masterfully to take them beyond 400.

The top three in Division Two all look set fair for victory, weather permitting. The leaders, Sussex, put the game beyond Glamorgan at Hove courtesy of an unbeaten 194 partnership between the veteran John Simpson, who hit his 15th hundred, and Tom Clark (79 not out).

Jonathan Tattersall’s century helped Yorkshire to a huge first-innings lead over Leicestershire, who lost two cheap wickets in their second knock before rain reprieved them. And Middlesex have the upper hand against Gloucestershire, Toby Roland-Jones striking three times at Lord’s.