Knight's flow checked by rain

Warwickshire 60-0 v Leicestershire

Nick Knight, the batsman ignored by England for the Texaco Trophy series, swiftly helped Warwickshire to restore their equilibrium yesterday after the champions lost to Hampshire earlier this week.

Rain restricted play against the leaders, Leicestershire, to 15 overs in early afternoon, but Knight and Andy Moles relished Leicestershire's decision to field. Moles had what must have seemed an interminable wait to play this albeit weather-interrupted innings.

Injuries had ruled him out of Championship action for the past 11 months, but his recuperation was confirmed in a 42-ball innings, bringing 24 runs.

Alan Mullally tested Moles most, though the left-arm quick bowler cut one ball back sharply off the seam to beat Knight, who responded with three boundaries in an over.

Warwickshire's 10 fours - six of them to Knight - defied awkward batting conditions, yet exploited attacking fields, David Millns bowling to four slips and a gully before rain intervened. Knight already has five hundreds in all cricket this summer and is averaging more than 50 in first-class matches.

This game also marks the Championship return of Gladstone Small, absent for almost a year through injury.