No play at Derby

Derbyshire's hopes of building on their position near the top of the LV= County Championship Division Two table were frustrated by the weather at Derby.

No play was possible on the opening day of the Division Two game against Middlesex after steady rain in the morning left conditions too wet for play to begin.

With no prospect of any break in the clouds, umpires Jeff Evans and Nick Cook finally made the inevitable decision shortly after 2.30pm.

Derbyshire came into the match in second place, 13 points behind leaders Kent, who are not involved in this round of games, while Middlesex are bottom without a win in seven matches.

If the weather improves over the next three days, Derbyshire will fancy their chances of chalking up another success at home, where they have not lost in the championship since September 2007.