Essex's new overseas recruit Kasun Rajitha is making a strong start on debut.

The tall Sri Lanka seamer has given Gareth Roderick a working over in his first over.

He could easily have had him out with his first ball - squaring Roderick up and nearly grazing his outside edge.

He then got one to spit and clatter Roderick on the hand prompting the Pears keeper to drop the bat and wince in pain.

Essex boss Chris Silverwood knows Rajitha from their time together with Sri Lanka and he says the 31-year-old "just loves to bowl".

On this surface, you might struggle to get the ball out of his hand.

Jonathan Doidge
BBC Radio Leeds cricket commentator

Even though they'll be question marks about Adam Lyth's dismissal, about James Wharton's dismissal as well and the dismissal of Finlay Bean - from a decision perspective, at 233-6 now I think Yorkshire will be reasonably happy.

They're not going going to say they're overjoyed with a score like that but in these conditions it's not a bad effort.

Worcestershire's inability to generate any early momentum in their two matches so far has been a lack of first-innings runs.

Against Somerset they managed 154 before a brilliant second dig effort saved them

Against Yorkshire they managed 162 and followed that with 105 in the second.

On this pitch, something around 200 won't be bad though.

Jake Libby has started well, cuffing Shane Snater off the back foot through cover for four before a slightly more fortuitous - but controlled - edge along the ground to the deep third fence.

Essex have to be patient. Jamie Porter is steaming in with his four slips expectant.

There has been no play since lunch and there will be no more play at the Utilita Bowl today with play set to resume tomorrow at 11:00 BST.

That brings down the curtain on a very disappointing day for Somerset who are right behind the eight ball on 94-6.

For the hosts, there will be more than a little frustration with the end of the innings in sight at lunch.

Given the pace at which the game has moved already, it won't take much to get it back on track given clear weather tomorrow.

They've been off since lunch and with no sign of the rain relenting that'll be it for day one at Old Trafford.

Early Division Two leaders Leicestershire can be pleased with their work in the 31 overs that were available.

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Gareth Roderick, who had an immaculate day behind the stumps, safely gets through the opening over from Jamie Porter.

Jake Libby gets the scoreboard moving with a single off Shane Snater's second delivery before the Netherlands all-rounder nips one back through Roderick's defence but over the top of middle and leg.

Four slips in place for Porter's next over. Tells you everything.

Jordan Cox is keeping wicket after Michael Pepper was struck on the knee earlier.

You sense the early exchanges of this session will determine who ends up day one with their noses in front. At the moment you would say Durham with six Yorkshire wickets ticked off.

But on a wicket the hosts felt would offer something for their bowlers, another 75 or so for Yorkshire from the final four would make it interesting.

Don Topley
BBC Essex

It's been quite a difficult day for Essex.

Many congratulations to Worcestershire because I think they have bowled pretty well, more importantly I think they have bowled well as a unit, they've bowled in partnerships with gentlemen at the other end and I think that's important.

No one has really got away, Tom Taylor's short spell this morning where he kept bowling fairly full, Essex kept driving him but at the other end they kept picking up wickets.

So well done to Worcestershire on their endeavours having won an important toss.

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Six wickets for 85 runs in that session and the Pears will be delighted with their work after winning the toss and sticking Essex in.

When you do that you have to deliver and they bowled perfectly in the helpful conditions.

Jacob Duffy (4-39) was much like his usual self after a torrid time at Headingley and there was terrific from Matthew Waite (3-47) and Ben Allison (2-47).

They hunted as a pack and never let Essex really get away.

Only Tom Westley and Jordan Cox's stand of 60 threatened but once that was broken the Pears were always in control.

That said, there is still plenty in this surface and 180 might yet be a decent par score.

Essex need to bowl well and find a solution to who keeps wicket if Michael Pepper can't - Jordan Cox the likely candidate.

Martin Emmerson
BBC Radio Newcastle

It's been a decent day for Durham, they've got a couple of bowling points now.

Four byes is a sloppy way to finish what has been a good session for Durham with Yorkshire six down and still a little way short of a first batting point.

Dom Bess is unbeaten on 11 and George Hill has 31. Brendan Doggett with 4-47 has been the standout from the Durham bowling unit.

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Ben Allison is back into the attack for Worcestershire and he's immediately into a battle with Simon Harmer.

There's some playing and missing from Harmer but also a classy pull for four in a very watchable over between the two.

A nice moment in it too. Charlie Allison - Ben's younger brother is runner for Michael Pepper and Allison senior is giving some chat to Allison Jnr in between deliveries.

It's all smiles though.

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Middlesex are on top against Glamorgan. They've reduced the Welsh side to 162-7 and taken six wickets in the afternoon session.

A century stand between Cameron Green and James Bracey has put Gloucestershire in a good position against Kent. The visitors are 209-4 with Australian Green on 68 and Bracey unbeaten on 43

Rain has stopped play at Lancashire and Derbyshire.

200 up for Yorkshirepublished at 15:49 British Summer Time 18 April

15:49 BST 18 April

Durham v Yorks 200-6

Dom Bess drives Ben Raine back through fine mid-off area to double his own score to eight with a second boundary and move Yorkshire past the 200 marker.

Image source, Rex Features

You've got to feel for Michael Pepper here. He's trying this best for his team but it's clearly hurting him.

Every shot now is followed by an uncomfortable shuffle and a look to the sky. He's basically playing on one leg.

He sees out another over - a first from Ethan Brookes.

Simon Harmer's at the other end on 22 and he'll feel like he needs to keep Pepper watching from the other end.

Pepper back on strike now though against Matthew Waite...