Notts hindered by rain

Samit Patel made 42 as Notts were thwarted by rain at Somerset

Nottinghamshire were unable to increase their advantage at the top of LV County Championship Division One after their match with Somerset was hit by rain and abandoned as a draw.

Only 8.1 overs were sent down in the fixture at Taunton which was the only match in domestic cricket where any play was possible as five games succumbed to the weather without a ball being bowled.

Resuming on 63 for three on the final day in overcast conditions Samit Patel and Andre Adams went on the attack as Notts attempted to chase the 149 runs required for victory.

The pair added 61 for the fourth wicket before Adams (20) was clean-bowled by veteran Somerset seamer Andrew Caddick.

Australian Adam Voges added two runs with Patel (42 not out) to take the score on to 125 for four before the heavens opened and the players were taken off the field with Notts 87 runs short of victory.

With the weather not showing any signs of improvement the umpires eventually called off the match at 4.45pm with Somerset taking seven points and the visitors eight.

Elsewhere in Division One, Sussex were left frustrated after their game against Lancashire at Old Trafford was abandoned as draw.

Chris Adams' side were in pole position in the contest before the final day was washed out as the visitors claim claimed 10 points while Lancashire took eight.

Promotion-chasing Worcestershire were denied a chance to go for a fourth consecutive win when rain curtailed the last day of their Division Two match against Derbyshire at New Road.

The leaders had to be satisfied with 12 points following the abandonment at 1.20pm after rain set in nearly two hours before the scheduled start of play on the final day.

Glamorgan's match against Middlesex was abandoned without a ball being bowled on the final day at Colwyn Bay.

Persistent rain during the morning saw umpires Ian Gould and Martin Bodenham call off play after lunch as Glamorgan took nine points from the contest to Middlesex's eight.

The third day of Warwickshire's fixture with Northamptonshire also fell victim to the weather.

It began raining an hour before the scheduled start and became heavier during the morning, leaving umpires Jeremy Lloyds and Graham Burgess with no alternative but to call play off for the day following an inspection after lunch.

Gloucestershire's faint hopes of a result against Leicestershire at Cheltenham were dashed after umpires Nigel Llong and Nick Cook called the game off at 4.00pm without a ball being bowled.

The counties both took eight points each which means Gloucestershire are still searching for their first win in the championship for 11 months.