Warwickshire left frustrated by the weather

WARWICKSHIRE were frustrated by the weather as no play was able to take place on day two of their Specsavers County Championship clash with Hampshire.

Umpires Steve O’Shaughnessy and Martin Saggers twice inspected the sodden outfield with the hope of some action, but despite a dry afternoon they decided the pitch could not dry quickly enough.

Birthday boy Ian Bell, 34 today, will be hoping to bag the final two Hampshire wickets quickly in the morning to keep hope of a win alive.

The hosts’ Ryan McLaren is also eager to get back out to the middle on Tuesday, as he remains on an unbeaten 84 for a second night, 16 short of a first Championship ton.

Hampshire had been rocked in the morning by the news Reece Topley broke his hand batting on the first day – and could miss a month of action.

Fast bowler Topley, who is making his debut from Essex in this match, was key to his county’s rear guard action by putting on 51 with McLaren – himself scoring a first-class high of 15.

He was struck on his right hand by Boyd Rankin early in his innings, with a specialist checking whether the injury is just a single or double fracture just below the knuckle.

Tuesday is set to see more dry spells, although there is still a chance of rain all day.