Durham v Somerset: Weather prevents play on third day

LV= County Championship Division One, Emirates Durham ICG
Close, day three (no play): Durham 308 & 152-7, Somerset 185
Durham 6pts, Somerset 3pts
Match scorecard

Durham and Somerset endured a frustrating third day, with no play possible because of rain and bad light.

The home side were due to resume their second innings on 152-7, a lead of 275.

But the teams were unable to make it out to the middle and umpires Michael Gough and David Millns abandoned play just before 17:00 BST.

All three results remain possible on the last day - but only two sides have scored over 300 in the final innings to win at Chester-le-Street.

Yorkshire made 339 to beat Durham last year, and Sussex reached 309 to do so in 2011, both successful run chases taking place in April.

"It's been a pretty grim and miserable day and there have been some bored cricketers, which is never good. But it's not too bad, there's still enough time in the game," said Durham coach Jon Lewis.

"The game had moved forward pretty quickly in the first two days - 17 wickets on day two obviously took the game forward even more so - so 270 ahead as we are, we are still pretty optimistic there's enough time to win the game."

BBC Radio Newcastle's Martin Emmerson:

"Rain in the morning made way for thick fog in the afternoon, and why play was not called off before five o'clock is a mystery.

"The conditions were so bleak we lost sight of Lumley Castle for most of the day and I half expected Sherlock Holmes to come walking out of the Chester-le-Street gloom.

"However, a great final day is in prospect if the weather is kinder."

Match scorecard