Rain halts Middlesex progress

Only 9.2 overs of play were possible on the first day of Leicestershire's County Championship Division Two game against Middlesex at Grace Road.

But the home side, who were bowled out for just 71 by Glamorgan in their last match, were soon in trouble again. They lost two wickets for only 23 runs before play was abandoned for the day.

The start was delayed until 1700 as the groundstaff battled against steady rain. When play did get under way, Middlesex won the toss and had no hesitation in putting Leicestershire in to bat on a green-looking pitch.

Will Jefferson, fit again after injury, resumed to open the innings for the home side but was run out in bizarre fashion in the first over without a run on the board. Pushing forward to a delivery from Tim Murtagh, he was rapped on the pad and the ball went to Neil Dexter at second slip. With Jefferson still out of his crease, Dexter ran him out with a direct throw at the stumps.

Paul Nixon soon also departed, edging to wicketkeeper John Simpson off the bowling of Iain O'Brien to leave Leicestershire 16 for 2. But Middlesex's progress was halted after two balls of the 10th over when the teams were forced off again for bad light. And, when rain began to fall again soon afterwards, play was called off for the day.