Day one abandoned in six County Championship games

The scene at Bristol where no play was possible on day one

Heavy rain and strong winds have disrupted day one of the County Championship's penultimate round of matches.

No play was possible before lunch in eight of the nine fixtures, with the Division One top-of-the-table clash between Surrey and Nottinghamshire the only match left unscathed by the weather.

The Division Two match between Gloucestershire and Northamptonshire at Bristol was the first match to be abandoned without a ball bowled at around 14:00 BST, followed soon after by Lancashire versus promotion-chasing Middlesex at Old Trafford.

Derbyshire, who must realistically beat second-placed Glamorgan at Derby to keep their own promotion hopes alive, were left frustrated as the weather ruled out any cricket on day one and there was also no play between Leicestershire and Kent.

In Division One, Durham's hopes of picking up a vital win against fellow relegation candidates Worcestershire were also delayed until at least the second day at Chester-le-Street.

Durham are six points adrift of safety, while anything less than victory for bottom side Worcestershire will confirm their descent to Division Two.

Play was also abandoned for the day at Hove, where Sussex face Yorkshire, and there were also delays at Taunton and Edgbaston.