County Championship: Sussex-Somerset day three washed out

There is a much improved weather forecast for the final day in the Sussex region

No play was possible on day three because of persistent rain at Hove.

Both Sussex and Somerset began their penultimate game of 2015 level on 146 points, 11 ahead of Hampshire, who occupy the second relegation place.

Sussex collected maximum batting points on Tuesday and Somerset, who gained all three bowling points, need a further 86 runs for their first batting point.

The visitors will hope to resume on Thursday on 114-2, 295 behind Sussex's 409, inspired by Michael Yardy's 104.

Heavy overnight rain on the south coast meant a start was delayed and umpires Alex Wharf and Ian Gould made three further inspections before play was abandoned for the day at 15:40 BST.

The teams will have welcomed rain at the Hampshire-Yorkshire match across the coast at Southampton, where only 7.4 overs took place on day three.

Although Hampshire secured maximum batting points and captured four Yorkshire wickets on day two, Wednesday's disruption could scupper their chances of a victory and keep them in the bottom two.