Somerset-Sussex: Title chasers' victory bid ruined by rain

Rain ruined title-chasing Sussex's hopes of victory against County Championship outsiders Somerset on the final day at Taunton.

When play began an hour late Sussex resumed on 31-0, needing another 133 to win but knowing the weather forecast was not in their favour.

But the promotion of Twenty20 star Luke Wright up the order in a bid to go for a rapid finish almost backfired.

Sussex slumped from 71-1 to 72-4 and had to then settle for a draw on 115-5.

Intermittent rain restricted the final day's play to only 24.3 overs, a major frustration for Sussex, but possibly a blessing in disguise for two teams in Twenty20 Finals day action the following day.

Sussex briefly looked at risk of a damaging defeat when they took lunch on 98-5, the excellent Peter Trego taking 3-60, while Pakistan spinner Abdur Rehman claimed 2-47.

But although play restarted in mid-afternoon, only 7.3 overs of play were possible.

With Sussex still needing 49 runs and Somerset five wickets for victory, the prospect of a nail-biting finish fizzled out when umpires Rob Bailey and Nick Cook finally abandoned the game at 16:45 BST.

Sussex take eight points, losing ground on leaders Warwickshire, who gained nine points after rescuing a draw against Middlesex at Edgbaston.