Warwickshire and Gloucestershire, desperate to find some early form, were thwarted by rain on the opening day of their Frizzell County Championship game at Edgbaston.

Following heavy overnight rain, Warwickshire were keen to play but were eventually foiled when play was abandoned for the day late in the afternoon without a ball being bowled.

It was also a disappointment for Gloucestershire, beaten by Kent in their opening four-day game, and for their stalwart, Jack Russell, who is in his penultimate season.

The Gloucestershire veteran said: "These games are now more intense and the major problem is physical.

"But this goes with the territory. Although it takes longer to recover these days I am thoroughly looking forward to the season which is a fresh challenge."

England's fourth one-day international against West Indies was again affected by the weather yesterday with heavy rain forcing officials to abandon it without a ball being bowled.

It is the latest setback in a series which has been dominated by the weather with only one match being completed the opening game in Guyana 10 days ago which was restricted to 30 overs a side that England triumphed by two wickets.