Middlesex and Northants frustrated by rain

Only 44 overs were possible on the opening day because of rain

Vitality County Championship, Division Two, Northwood (day three)

Northamptonshire 207: Gay 42, Sanderson 40; Roland-Jones 5-49

Middlesex 250-7: Du Plooy 66*, Robson 58; Sanderson 5-58

Middlesex (4pts) lead Northants (2pts) by 50 with three wickets standing

Match scorecard

Middlesex and Northamptonshire were thwarted by the weather as the third day of their County Championship clash at Merchant Taylors' School was abandoned without a ball being bowled.

Persistent rain during the morning meant the covers remained in place and although the prospects of play appeared to have improved around lunchtime, another heavy downpour drenched the outfield again.

With further rain forecast later in the day, umpires Hassan Adnan and Neil Pratt eventually called off play shortly after 14:.30 BST.

The washout makes a draw the most likely outcome, with Middlesex currently 250-7 in their first innings, an advantage of 43 over their visitors.

Report supplied by ECB Reporters' Network