Soaking rain nips things in bud at Roses match

Heavy overnight and morning rain in Leeds has seen to it that the final day of the match between Yorkshire and Lancashire has been abandoned without a ball being bowled.

Even though a draw had appeared the most likely result in any case - with Lancashire at 127/2 in its second innings and in possession of an overall lead of eighteen runs - it was a disappointing way to end a match that had offered absorbing cricket throughout.

The frustration will likely be felt most acutely by Yorkshire's players and administrators. Their reaction to the disruptions to their squad being perpetuated by the new England contract system appeared to be developing into one of much angst even before this latest stroke of ill-fortune. Captain David Byas also bemoaned the intervention of rain on the second day, identifying it as the crucial factor in preventing the locals from pressing home an advantage which they had held for most of the opening three days.

"I was pleased with the way we dictated matters for long periods of the game, and the points we have gained leave us in a competitive position for the run-in to the season," said Byas after news of the abandonment became official.

"It was a disappointment to lose the final day when a victory was still possible for us, but even more important was the loss of the final session on Saturday when Darren Lehmann was threatening to take their attack apart."

Yorkshire now head to Taunton to play Somerset without the four players in their squad who are required by England for this week's Old Trafford Test. Lancashire, meanwhile, take on Surrey at The Oval in a match that is likely to significantly shape the race for the title.