Rain ruins county programme

The most play possible around the country was at Lord's, but that isn't saying much, as Middlesex and Gloucestershire managed 11 overs writes Andrew McGlashan. For much of the day it looked as though this match would go the same way as all the others - and on any other ground it would have - but at around 4pm the skies brightened, the drainage system worked its magic and there was even a glimmer of sun. Eventually players and umpires appeared at 5pm and Middlesex made the attacking gesture of declaring with their overnight lead of 95. They should have had an early breakthrough when Kadeer Ali was missed on 4, at second slip by Murali Kartik, off Alan Richardson. Other than that, though, Ali and William Porterfield progressed with relative ease given the bowler-friendly conditions. Richardson and Tim Murtagh bowled a touch short and wide and there was just time for one over of spin before more rain forced the players off with five overs unbowled.

The division's top two sides, Worcestershire and Warwickshire had to settle for a draw at New Road The stalemate leaves Worcestershire 16 points clear at the top, even though they were docked two points for a slow over-rate, while Warwickshire have a 13-point cushion to Essex in third.

Derbyshire and Glamorgan went the same way, with no action possible at Derby, meaning Dan Redfern missed the chance to score his maiden first-class century having reached 69 on the third evening.

Durham were denied the chance for further batting points when rain wiped out the third day against Lancashire at Chester-le-Street.

The top-of-the-table clash between Nottinghamshire and Somerset couldn't advance, either, because of the miserable weather at Trent Bridge .

And it was a similar story at Scarborough where Sussex, not for the first time this season, couldn't build on a strong position against Yorkshire with the home side struggling on 133 for 7.

The only play possible in the first division was at Canterbury where Kent managed 13 balls to the Surrey openers before the rain arrived. Scott Newman and Chris Murtagh survived but neither opened their account.