Rain scuppers curtain-raiser

13 April 2008

Rain has forced a draw in the traditional curtain-raiser for the English domestic season, without a ball being bowled on the final day.

County champions Sussex finished with a lead of 440 over the MCC, who were due to bat again.

Play was abandoned at 1.45pm, 15 minutes after a pitch inspection.

Chris Adams was denied the chance to force a positive result, with his side 474 for five, Luke Wright unbeaten on a career-best 155 and Robin Martin-Jenkins 73 not out.

Before his batting pyrotechnics, which included 21 fours and three sixes, Wright’s previous act of note had been to inadvertently knock out MCC tail-ender Steve Kirby with a lifting delivery on Friday.

Kirby was released from hospital on Saturday after suffering concussion from two black-outs, and he would have played no further part in the match had play resumed.