Surrey v Essex, Lancashire v Nottinghamshire and more: county cricket – live

PreambleHello from a train chugging damply towards Liverpool. The sky is heavy with grey clouds, of the type that Jimmy Anderson might order – which is handy as today he makes his first Championship appearance of the season, at Southport. After that comes his swansong at Lord's and then – who knows? So, in short, this could be the last chance for anyone not going to the Test to see him bowl in the flesh.

Of course he could roll in, slim as a pin, for Lancashire for another three years, but the organisers at Southport and Birkdale CC won't mind – they've already sold all 2,300 tickets for today – so don't travel if you haven't got a ticket as you won't get in!

Festival cricket also at Cheltenham and Chesterfield, the top of the table clash at The Oval and much much more you lucky people.