County cricket opening day: Lancs v Surrey, Kent v Somerset, and more – live

Good morning! Welcome back long-time friends and a warm hello to anyone new poking their head around the door, who has a fancy for following the County Championship through this season.

Today, anything seems possible. Gloucestershire could be promoted; Kent could steal the pennant from under the well-funded noses of south London. For now, a glass raised to new starts, old dogs, stars born and friends made. I’ll be at Old Trafford shortly – the skies are … frowning.