Alarm bells at New Road over floods alert

Kevin Pietersen made just 5 but signed off with a win in his final match for Delhi in the IPL (AP)

Worcestershire are set to go on flood watch after the abandonment of their match with Nottinghamshire at rain-battered New Road yesterday.

Club officials anticipate at least a 48-hour wait before the Severn, which flows directly past New Road, reaches its peak level. The Severn has flooded New Road to devastating effect before, most recently in 2007.

The final-day washout against Nottinghamshire killed off the visitors' plans to set up a finish. With Neil Edwards on 49 not out, they closed 174 ahead on Saturday after reaching 88 for two in their second innings.

The weather wreaked havoc with all the weekend's county championship fixtures. Division One leaders Warwickshire were frustrated in their match against Sussex at Hove. No play was possible on the final day, and only 45 minutes of play was possible on Saturday. A draw meant Warwickshire took eight points and Sussex five.

In the Indian Premier League, Kevin Pietersen managed just 5 in his final innings before returning to county cricket– or, more accurately, the England team – but his Delhi Daredevils managed a thrilling one-run win over Rajasthan Royals.