County round-up: Nottinghamshire frustrated by rainy day in Manchester

(GETTY IMAGES)

One over, one boundary, one day of mounting frustration. Nottinghamshire's quest to collect the 22 points required to win the Championship was limited to the briefest of sorties to the middle at Old Trafford before they were left to kick their heels in the pavilion and watch the rain fall over Manchester.

Come the close of the first of the final four days of the Championship season, there was some solace for the the away dressing room as Durham's perky resistance ensured a pointless day for Somerset at Chester-le-Street. Chris Read's side will begin again this morning – weather permitting – with their slender two-point lead still intact.

Alex Hales steered Sajid Mahmood through square leg for the Notts boundary as the one over yielded eight runs before the rain that had delayed the start returned.

Somerset managed 40 overs in the quest for their first-ever Championship and two quick wickets raised their hopes of moral-boosting early bonus points, but Dale Benkenstein countered for Durham. The South African struck an aggressive 71 in an unbroken third wicket stand of 99 with Gordon Muchall, who dropped anchor at the other end. In another example of the peculiar planning that litters the domestic season, play continued until 6.15pm, an extra 45 minutes beyond the usual close to allow an early finish to the game on Thursday and ensure Somerset have ample preparation time for Saturday's 40-over final at Lord's.

In the Second Division, Glamorgan and Worcestershire are the leading contenders for the final promotion spot and Worcestershire enjoyed the better day. They collected two bowling points against Sussex, while Glamorgan struggled to 120 for 6 against lowly Derbyshire. Glamorgan's lead is down to seven points.