Tuesday 15 September 2015 00:27, UK
Zafar Ansari was dismissed for 99 but his patient 244-ball innings ensured Surrey had the best of the opening day of their top-of-the-table game against Lancashire at Old Trafford.
When bad light forced the players off 13 overs before the scheduled close in the game which could decide the Division Two title, the visitors were 262-4 after 83.2 overs with Steven Davies on 33 not out and Jason Roy unbeaten on 15.
That was a decent return for the visitors but the day was still deeply frustrating for Ansari - who hit a full toss from Steven Croft and saw James Anderson take an outstanding catch at short extra cover.
The Surrey opener hit 10 fours and a six, and has now scored 771 runs and taken 44 wickets in the competition this season.
Only 18.1 overs had been possible in the morning session before rain closed in and forced an early lunch.
Afterwards, Rory Burns bottom-edged the ball onto his stumps three balls after reaching 50 off 71 balls, and Lancashire claimed the prize wicket of Kumar Sangakkara, caught by Steven Croft at second slip for nine.
Ben Foakes and Ansari then added 67 for the third wicket in 25 overs before the former Essex batsman edged Lilley to Petersen.
By the time Ansari fell, Surrey were well on their way to a decent score, given the interruptions.
Daniel Bell-Drummond was the sole casualty of a rain-ruined opening day in Canterbury, where only 15 overs were bowled at the start of Kent's final home game of the campaign against Gloucestershire.
The visitors elected to bowl after winning a delayed toss and at stumps - after barely an hour's play - Kent had reached 67-1, with Sean Dickson on 31 not out on his home debut and Joe Denly unbeaten on nine.
Bell-Drummond had made a breezy start by hitting four early boundaries before being trapped lbw on 22.
Rain ruined the opening day of the final game of the season at Wantage Road with only 5.5 overs possible between Northamptonshire and Glamorgan.
A wet outfield took out the morning session but the ground dried up for a 1.45pm start. Northamptonshire captain Alex Wakely won the toss and chose to bowl first but after just under 20 minutes' play, very heavy rain returned and further showers after tea saw the day abandoned at 4.50pm.
During the play that was possible, batting was very tricky with the new ball zipping around.
Former Northants player James Kettleborough picked up three boundaries, all off the outside edge, but when Rory Kleinveldt found a little extra bounce to produce a fourth edge, it was sufficiently thin to carry through to wicketkeeper
David Murphy.
Five balls after the dismissal, with Glamorgan 23-1, the players left the field and did not return.
Persistent rain meant no play was possible at Grace Road on the first day of the match between Leicestershire and Essex. Tuesday's play is scheduled to start at 10.30am.
