Worcestershire hopes fade following heavy rain

Heavy rain poured more misery on Worcestershire, who were clinging to a faint hope that they might still snatch promotion after a dismal first day against Northamptonshire at New Road.

No play was possible today as the Midlanders waited to meet their first requirement of scoring a further 61 runs to avoid the follow-on.

David Leatherdale, the only specialist batsman to survive a collapse to 50 for 5, had a target of his own, having made 20 of the 74 runs needed to reach 1,000 in a season for the second time in his career.

The 32-year-old Yorkshireman is due to resume with fellow-Bradfordian Steve Rhodes in a partnership which is essential to Worcestershire's hope of recovering for an unlikely victory.

Worcestershire need a win to have any chance of securing promotion.