Middlesex frustrated by Derby washout

Middlesex 228 for 3 v Derbyshire
Scorecard

Derbyshire's chances of hauling themselves off the bottom of the County Championship were hit by heavy rain which washed out the second day of the match against Middlesex at Derby.

No play was possible before lunch after overnight rain and further showers during the morning left the County Ground outfield saturated.

Umpires Neil Mallender and Stephen Gale decided there was no chance of conditions improving enough for the game to start and made the inevitable decision following an inspection at 1.30pm.

It means four sessions have now been lost after rain halted play on the opening day three overs before the scheduled team interval.

Although the forecast is better for the next two days, it looks unlikely that Derbyshire will have enough time to force the win they need to close the gap on Surrey, who are one place above them at the foot of Division Two.

Middlesex are in a decent position on 228 for three with opener Scott Newman unbeaten on 119, his second Championship century of the season, but the chances of them being able to put Derbyshire under enough pressure to claim victory already appear slim.