Forfeits an option to set up result

The last two days have witnessed barely two hours of cricket in total but the match position offers an opportunity for a meaningful finish nonetheless, one way or another, possibly involving forfeits.

Lancashire used the 12.5 overs possible on day three to their advantage as Kyle Hogg and Simon Kerrigan, not normally the most formidable of last-wicket pairs, extended their partnership to 70 before bad light brought play to a close with the total on 321 for 9, providing the defending champions with a batting point they probably had not expected.

Kerrigan, who has 22, had not even got off the mark in half his 10 previous Championship innings this season and not made more than six. Yet he and Hogg, whose 44 is his highest of the season, skilfully avoided laying a bat on the better balls to come their way.

It might not have been the case, perhaps, had they seen more of Andre Adams, who had to leave the field after bowling only four deliveries, having gone over on his right ankle as he attempted to bowl a fifth. He stayed down for a minute or two as team-mates anxiously summoned the physio, although he was able to walk off unaided.

Given that he is the country's leading wicket-taker on 40 dismissals, including five in this innings, the loss of Adams would be a serious blow to Nottinghamshire's plans to regain the title. The initial indications, however, are that it is not a serious injury.

"The fact that he was able to walk off is a good sign and we'll have to reassess him in the morning, although at the moment we are not particularly worried," the county's director of cricket, Mick Newell, said.

There were concerns that blame might attach to the surface conditions after prolonged heavy rain but Newell said there was no issue over safety.

In the event, the rest of the players followed in behind Adams in leaving the field at that point. The floodlights were in use, as they had been since play began at 4.30pm, but the natural light had deteriorated to a point at which umpires Jeff Evans and Michael Gough felt that the artificial light had taken over. They brought the players out again once subsequently, but only briefly.