Saturday 3 September 2016 18:00, UK
Rain ruined Middlesex's hopes of extending their lead at the top of Division One after bad weather saw the final day of their match with Warwickshire called off early at Edgbaston.
The visitors needed seven wickets to secure their fifth victory of the season, as they attempt to win the Specsavers County Championship title for the first time since 1993, yet removed just one batsman in the 18.4 overs they were able to bowl before the match was drawn.
Middlesex take nine points from the fixture, one fewer than second-placed Yorkshire, who narrowed the gap at the top of Division One to four points after a draw of their own.
Yorkshire had no such weather problems as they began day four against Hampshire on time, but their cause was hampered when captain Andrew Gale edged Brad Wheal off his second ball of the morning.
Gary Ballance struck a vital half-century (72) to propel Yorkshire to 238-5 declared, setting Hampshire 298 for victory in 72 overs, reduced to 70 after a short rain delay during the innings break.
Jack Brooks then nipped three wickets in 12 balls, including that of James Vince caught by Tim Bresnan at first slip, to raise hopes that the White Rose side could beat Hampshire and the weather.
But drizzle intervened again to dampen any Yorkshire dreams of forcing a final-day victory, instead having to settle with 10 points.
Rain also wrecked two more matches in the top tier of the County Championship - Nottinghamshire in particular left frustrated by the bad weather.
In need of a win to boost their survival hopes, constant downpours curtailed any play on the fourth day of the match at Chester-le-Street.
Keaton Jennings hit his sixth Championship hundred of the season for Durham the evening before, to set the visitors 317 for victory. However Nottinghamshire were powerless to add to their overnight score of 17-1 with continued rain ending proceedings early.
Heavy prolonged showers at the Emirates Old Trafford meant the umpires had no option but to abandon play a little after midday on day four, Lancashire and Somerset each receiving 10 points for the draw.
Peter Trego's unbeaten 154 had seen Somerset declare on 553-8 in their first innings prior to Alviro Petersen leading the Lancashire fightback, scoring an elegant 155 to help them avoid the follow on.
But at 422-9 in reply on the final morning with rain set in, there was no chance for any further play.
Not a single ball was bowled in Division Two, meanwhile, as inclement weather called a halt to events between Derbyshire and Gloucestershire, hands shaken on a draw just after 2pm.
Gloucestershire closed the third day 262 runs in arrears and with all 10 wickets intact as they looked to wrap up the match and condemn Derbyshire to another defeat, who are still waiting to record their first Championship win of the season.
