Championship programme hit by the weather

Rain has played havoc with today's Frizzell County Championship programme, with only limited play possible in just three of the six scheduled games. Between the showers there was time for Craig White to complete a half century and for Durham to force Gloucestershire to follow on.

At Headingley, White had just completed his 50 against Hampshire when rain and bad light, which had prevented almost any play in the first two sessions, returned to hold things up again. When play resumed in the final session, White was out for 67 and Yorkshire closed on 207 for five.

In Division Two, Gloucestershire did not advance their cause in the limited play possible at Chester-le-Street. 95 for six overnight, they were swiftly mopped up by Durham for 132, with Graeme Bridge taking two wickets for one run. Following on 338 runs behind. the visitors did little better in their second innings. Between delays they reached 44 for two by the close, with Ian Hunter taking both wickets.

Just nine overs and three balls were bowled at Trent Bridge, from which Nottinghamshire moved from their overnight 184 for seven to 207 for eight before the rain intervened yet again to end play early for the day. Carl Greenidge trapped Nick Boje lbw for 36 to collect his fifth wicket of the innings for Northants in a game that now seems sure to end in a draw.

The third day's play at The Oval between Surrey and Somerset, at Horsham between Sussex and Leicestershire, and the first day of Essex's match against Derbyshire at Chelmsford were all abandoned without a ball being bowled.