Worcestershire's hopes further dashed by weather

Black clouds scudding over New Road put another dampener on Worcestershire's slender hopes of escaping to victory over Second Division champions Northamptonshire.

Needing a win to have any chance of promotion, the home side could ill afford a complete wash-out for the second day in succession following downpours overnight and again this morning.

Already facing an uphill task at 50 for five in reply to Northants' 260, they were close to accepting their promotion challenge is over when the umpires abandoned the third day after lunch.

Coach Bill Athey said: "It's looking less and less likely because we really needed a couple of batting bonus points as well as a win."

The bad weather also knocked Glenn McGrath's prospects of becoming the leading wicket-taker in the County Championship.

Tied on 68 with Shane Warne after the first innings here, he lost ground when his Australian team-mate struck twice in Yorkshire's second innings at Southampton on Thursday.