All the action in the Wednesday's LV= County Championship matches, where inclement weather played its part in six games ending in draws.
By Callum Dent & Matt Somerford
6.15pm - Here's confirmation of the six draws completed on a sodden day.
Leicestershire and Gloucestershire will conclude their Division Two match tomorrow after a day three washout at Grace Road. Here’s to improved weather for that and an action-packed weekend of NatWest T20 Blast action.
Division One
Durham (568/9d) draw with Middlesex (330 & 90/2) at Emirates Durham ICG.
Somerset (420) draw with Lancashire (203 & 95/3) at Emirates Old Trafford.
Division Two
Hampshire (388 & 214/5d) draw with Derbyshire (257 & 107/8) at the Ageas Bowl.
Worcestershire (476) draw with Surrey (206 & 240/5 f/o) at the Kia Oval.
Glamorgan (244 & 250) draw with Essex (280 & 28/2) at the Essex County Ground.
Leicestershire are 12 without loss and 21 runs ahead of Gloucestershire in their second innings at Grace Road, but no play was possible on day three.
5.55pm - RESULT! Hampshire (388 & 214/5d) draw with Derbyshire (257 & 107/8) at the Ageas Bowl. It’s been a magnificent effort by the Hampshire attack today, led by James Tomlinson, but the elements conspire against them. The Division Two leaders take 12 points, while Derbyshire escape with 10.
5.53pm - They’re heading off for bad light at the Ageas Bowl and that should be that.
5.47pm - RESULT! Worcestershire (476) draw with Surrey (206 & 240/5 f/o) at the the Kia Oval. Rain played a key part in Worcestershire being unable to force victory but Surrey duo Steven Davies and Jason Roy, with 77 and 45 not out respectively, should not go without credit. Worcestershire leave London with 12 points and the hosts claim seven.
Providing there is no more rain, play will resume with at least 8.4 overs left to be bowled in the match. @DerbyshireCCC 104-8. #LVCC
— Hampshire Cricket (@hantscricket) June 4, 2014
5.30pm - Looks like those weather apps are delivering good news as the covers are coming off at Southampton.
5.23pm - They're bedding down the covers at the Ageas Bowl after that downpour. The Hampshire players and staff will be busily checking their weather apps as we speak.
Here's @JackShantry with the new ball. Let's hope for some more Shantry magic!
— Worcestershire CCC (@WorcsCCC) June 4, 2014
5.13pm - A possible lifeline for Derbyshire! It has started raining fairly heavily and the players are off.
Surrey 202-5...Davies c Cox b ali 77....Roy 25*
— Surrey Cricket (@surreycricket) June 4, 2014
5.03pm - RESULT! Glamorgan (244 & 250) draw with Essex (280 & 28/2) at the Essex County Ground. The players returned briefly after that latest rain delay but the decision has been made to call it off. Essex get 10 points from the game while Glamorgan take nine points home.
5.02pm - RESULT! Nottinghamshire (452 & 336/4d) draw with Sussex (355 & 198/2) at the Brighton&HoveJobs.com County Ground. They have shaken hands at Hove. You know the writing is on the wall for a draw when Alex Hales is thrown the ball! That first-wicket stand between Nash and Wells ensured the draw.
Big wicket! Palladino (2) has been trapped lbw by Briggs & @DerbyshireCCC are 96-8. 20 overs left in the day. #LVCC
— Hampshire Cricket (@hantscricket) June 4, 2014
Nottinghamshire bring on Alex Hales for a bowl! Sussex 189/2 #GOSBTS
— Sussex CCC (@SussexCCC) June 4, 2014
4.51pm - It gets worse for Derbyshire as David Wainwright is adjudged lbw to Danny Briggs for 22. Hampshire need just three wickets now to increase their lead at the top of Division Two.
4.48pm - Ryder skies a catch off Michael Hogan and Essex are 21 for two after five overs. Essex are prepared to chase this target - 214 off 24 overs - but the rain has now swept in and the players are going off.
UPDATE: Derbyshire 90-6 (42); Wainwright 22* and A.Hughes 7*. 23 overs remaining in the day. Briggs and Tomlinson to bowl #HAMvDER
— Derbyshire CCC (@DerbyshireCCC) June 4, 2014
Pettini is caught at slip. Essex 10/1.
— Glamorgan Cricket (@GlamCricket) June 4, 2014
4.28pm - They will try to get back on at the Kia Oval again at 4.45pm. There are 20 overs left in the game for Worcestershire to try and push for victory.
Essex need 214 to win fro 24 overs when play resumes after tea. #EssvGla
— Essex Cricket (@EssexCricket) June 4, 2014
4.21pm - Stuart Broad grabs a second wicket and denies Luke Wells a century as he edges behind to Chris Read for 86.
Looking much brighter now pic.twitter.com/r4u7bHKeNy
— Surrey Cricket (@surreycricket) June 4, 2014
4.14pm - Allenby's fun is over on 79 as he is caught by Mark Pettini off Jesse Ryder. Essex face a sprint chase of 214.
4.08pm - Play has resumed at the Ageas Bowl and Derbyshire have lost a wicket pretty quickly. Gareth Cross is lbw to Kyle Abbott.
WICKET..Wells is bowled middle-stump by Broad for 73. Sussex 161 for 1 #GOSBTS
— Sussex CCC (@SussexCCC) June 4, 2014
3.54pm - The rain has stopped at the Kia Oval and the umpires will have a look at the ground at 4.20pm.
3.49pm - Allenby is taking it upon himself to ensure Glamorgan move into safe waters at Essex. He's crashed Tom Craddock for a four and a six from successive balls and the lead is now 200. The last-wicket stand is 28, of which Tom Helm has yet to contribute to in terms of runs.
3.40pm - Derbyshire have limped into the tea break at 51 for five. There will be 33 overs after the break, during which time their tail must stave off a Hampshire side now full of hope.
James Tomlinson has taken 10 opening batsman wickets in @LV_Cricket 2014, more than anyone else. @hantscricket
— FTI MVP Rankings (@FTI_MVP_Cricket) June 4, 2014
Allenby completes 50 from 104 balls. Glam 218/9 leading by 182 runs
— Glamorgan Cricket (@GlamCricket) June 4, 2014
3.25pm - Sussex have reached tea without losing a wicket and a draw appears the likely result against Notts. Wells and Nash have stuck firm to advance the score to 146 for none.
3.18pm - It is tea at the Kia Oval. Surrey are 173 for four as they look to hang on for a draw against Worcestershire. Davies is doing the most of the spade work, he's unbeaten on 60, while Jason Roy is with him on 13.
3.17pm - Michael Hogan is caught in the deep to give Thomas Moore a fourth wicket and Glamorgan are nine down with a lead over Essex of 172.
Wicket. Madsen is caught at third slip off Coles for 2. Derbyshire 42-5 (23.4); @yozza18 0* and Cross new man #HAMvDER
— Derbyshire CCC (@DerbyshireCCC) June 4, 2014
3.05pm - Two quick wickets at the Ageas Bowl and Derbyshire are in some trouble. James Tomlinson grabs his third by bowling Australian Marcus North, who failed to play a shot, and then Matt Coles traps Scott Elstone in front for a first-ball duck. Derbyshire are 41 for four - still 305 runs in arrears.
Amazing skyline from the commentary box @BBCLondonSport pic.twitter.com/uCIFC8xoC1
— Surrey Cricket (@surreycricket) June 4, 2014
Wicket. Moore is caught at cover off Tomlinson for 25. Derbyshire 34-2 (18.1); Madsen 0* and North new man #HAMvDER
— Derbyshire CCC (@DerbyshireCCC) June 4, 2014
2.48pm - Luke Wells and Chris Nash both go past 50 and their opening-wicket stand is now over a century as Sussex look good to save their game against Notts.
Watch @SteveDavies43 move to his fifty http://t.co/xcffy7SEag
— Surrey Cricket (@surreycricket) June 4, 2014
2.38pm - RESULT! Somerset (420) draw with Lancashire (203 & 95/3) at Emirates Old Trafford. The Manchester weather has denied Somerset the chance to push for victory. Constant rain today made the umpires' decision to call matters off for the day likely. That has now been confirmed.
Wicket. @pborrington is caught behind by Bates off Tomlinson off the first ball of the day, for 9. Derbyshire 30-1 (14.1) #HAMvDER
— Derbyshire CCC (@DerbyshireCCC) June 4, 2014
2.29pm - Steven Davies ticks over to a half-century for Surrey. The wicketkeeper-batsmen still has plenty of work to do in order to save the match though.
2.28pm - The reports from Emirates Old Trafford suggest the rain is still steadily falling, to the frustration of Somerset.
It's stopped raining at Chelmsford and play will start at 2.50pm. 46 overs remaining
— Glamorgan Cricket (@GlamCricket) June 4, 2014
2.16pm - Finally we're getting a bit of cricket to report, although it is not good news for Zafar Ansari. He has fallen to Charles Morris, caught by Saeed Ajmal, for 62. Surrey are 136 for four and still 134 runs away from making Worcestershire bat again.
Sussex 72/0 now, Nash 30 and Wells 39 #GOSBTS
— Sussex CCC (@SussexCCC) June 4, 2014
2.05pm - There will be a 2.30pm start at the Ageas Bowl.
Play has been abandoned for the day
— Leicestershire CCC (@leicsccc) June 4, 2014
1.50pm - It looks like play will begin again at the Kia Oval in five minutes.
1.44pm – RESULT! Durham (568/9d) draw with Middlesex (330 & 90/2) at Emirates Durham ICG. The rain has scuppered Durham's hopes of a home win. The steady rainfall through the morning prompted the umpires to give up hope of play on the final day. Durham have now drawn six of their seven games this season.
Match Drawn: Here is our report from the game with Middlesex... http://t.co/Oe27TNjkTQ
— Durham Cricket Club (@DurhamCricket) June 4, 2014
1.25pm - It did not last long at the Kia Oval. Unfortunately, the players are off for rain again. Surrey are 127 for three.
Play will start at 1.40pm with 64 overs left providing there is no more rain. #LANCSvSOM
— Lancashire CCC (@LancsCCC) June 4, 2014
1.10pm - Here we go then! Play is about to start at the Kia Oval, with 72 overs remaining on the final day, and the BrightonandHoveJobs.com County Ground.
The Essex County Ground expects play in 20 minutes, while there is an inspection at 2pm at the Ageas Bowl.
. @ravibopara offers some bowling tips to pupils @BishopChalloner as part of @Chance2Shine #nationalcricketweek pic.twitter.com/i5aoamDwQG
— England Cricket (@ECB_cricket) June 4, 2014
The rain continues to fall here at Emirates Durham ICG and all the covers are on. No chance of play for a while yet.
— Durham Cricket Club (@DurhamCricket) June 4, 2014
12.40pm - While the rain continues to hamper the day's play, why not listen to our latest podcast. Here we look back at the business end of the Royal London One-Day Series as Sri Lanka edge England, plus a NatWest T20 Blast Friday night out at New Road as Worcestershire Rapids beat Northants Steelbacks. listen to ‘ECB Cricket Podcast Episode 130’ on Audioboo
It's raining again and Lunch is being taken early at 12.30pm #LancsvSom
— Lancashire CCC (@LancsCCC) June 4, 2014
Back to school! @ravibopara @Lottie2323 & @GunnJenny get involved with @Chance2Shine #nationalcricketweek in B'ham pic.twitter.com/ipGIxzGOLD
— England Cricket (@ECB_cricket) June 4, 2014
12.12pm - A setback at the Kia Oval sees an early lunch scheduled for 18 minutes time. However, some good news from the BrightonandHoveJobs.com County Ground and the Essex County Ground, where play is set to start at 1.10pm if there is no more wet weather. We live in hope!
It's stopped raining here at Chelmsford and the umpires are inspecting.
— Glamorgan Cricket (@GlamCricket) June 4, 2014
11.45pm - We may have some cricket after all! Play is scheduled to start at the Kia Oval in 35 minutes. 21 overs are lost.
The covers are coming off and there will be an inspection by the umpires at 11.50. Fingers crossed!
— Lancashire CCC (@LancsCCC) June 4, 2014
Happy 23rd Birthday to @benstokes38 ! (Insert predictable Yaya Toure joke here) #HappyBirthdayBen
— Durham Cricket Club (@DurhamCricket) June 4, 2014
11.14am - The umpires are inspecting at the BrightonandHoveJobs.com County Ground at noon, with an early lunch taking place half an hour later. Fingers crossed!
Current view from the commentary box pic.twitter.com/jS8XA34GJT
— Surrey Cricket (@surreycricket) June 4, 2014
Covers are still on and no sign of the ground staff. The rain has eased but more on way. Play before lunch looks unlikely. #middlesex150
— Middlesex Cricket (@Middlesex_CCC) June 4, 2014
10.55am - It looks like I spoke too soon, the covers are now on at the Kia Oval. Frustrating!
Starting on time...but...now it is raining!!!
— Surrey Cricket (@surreycricket) June 4, 2014
10.50am - There is to be no play before lunch at the BrightonandHoveJobs.com County Ground, while it looks like only the Kia Oval will dodge the rain to start on time.
For the time being, why not read how Yorkshire moved top of Division One with a crushing victory over Northamptonshire at Wantage Road yesterday.
18 - @wgiddo is the 18th player to hit 2,000+ C'ship runs at average >35 and take 200+ wickets at average <25. Giddy. pic.twitter.com/oYizJOzH5w
— OptaJim (@OptaJim) June 4, 2014
Early lunch at Hove - to be taken at 12:30 #SussvNotts
— Nottinghamshire CCC (@TrentBridge) June 4, 2014
10.40am - Good morning and welcome to live coverage of the LV= County Championship. Six of the seven ongoing matches reach their conclusions today, while Leicestershire versus Gloucestershire is delicately poised at the halfway stage.
Division One
Middlesex are 90 for two, following on in their second innings at Durham. Opener Sam Robson is 42 not out with the deficit 148.
Lancashire are 93 for three, 122 behind Somerset, as they follow on at Emirates Old Trafford.
Sussex are 29 without loss having been set 434 to win by Nottinghamshire, for whom Alex Hales blasted a sensational 167 at the BrightonandHoveJobs.com County Ground.
Division Two
Derbyshire are 31 without loss, needing a further 315 to beat leaders Hampshire at the Ageas Bowl.
Zafar Ansari has an unbeaten 50 for Surrey, who are 159 runs behind on 111 for three following on against Worcestershire at the Kia Oval.
Glamorgan are 188 for eight, 152 ahead of Essex at the Essex County Ground.
Leicestershire are 12 without loss after Rob Taylor’s five-wicket haul dismissed Gloucestershire for 260 at Grace Road - a slender nine-run first-innings advantage.
It was a pleasure watching @AlexHales1 whack 167 off 133 balls yday. The lad has some talent #sloppyal #climbout
— Stuart Broad (@StuartBroad8) June 4, 2014
Pretty bleak picture here in Chester-le-Street unfortunately. We'll let you know soon if the start is to be delayed pic.twitter.com/SB0EMDELoX
— Durham Cricket Club (@DurhamCricket) June 4, 2014
Morning from The E.C.G, where there's currently light drizzle. However, the forecast has improved for day; stay tuned for updates #EssvGla
— Essex Cricket (@EssexCricket) June 4, 2014