The first day of Nottinghamshire’s latest LV= County Championship match against Hampshire at The Rose Bowl was washed out without a ball being bowled.

With the scheduled start put back by half an hour, due to the home side being involved in floodlit CB40 action the previous evening, the captain’s exchanged team sheets at 11am. Chris Read called incorrectly so it was left to Jimmy Adams – skippering the home side in the absence of Dominic Cork – to make the decision and he elected to bat first.

Playing on the wicket that had been used just a few hours earlier – and with the spin threat of Imran Tahir and Danny Briggs in the opposition ranks – Mick Newell decided to follow suit by including Graeme White for the first time this season. Darren Pattinson and Charlie Shreck also returned, with Broad, Fletcher and Franks as the three men not involved from the side that played against Somerset last week.

Around ten minutes after the toss had taken place the rain began to fall quite heavily and within a short while a lengthy delay appeared inevitable as the covers and ground sheets quickly filled with water. With no improvement or break in the relentless drizzle, an early lunch was taken at 1pm.

There was no sign of the rain abating until around 4.30, at which the ground staff began mopping up but their progress was halted by another shower and play was officially abandoned for the day at 4.50pm.