WORCESTERSHIRE suffered weather frustration as the battle of the two promoted teams in County Championship Division One ended in a first day washout at Blackfinch New Road.

The home side had pulled out all the stops after flooding at their headquarters three weeks ago to ensure the ground was fit for the opening home game of the 2018 campaign.

But heavy morning rain left the ground saturated and umpires Richard Illingworth and David Millns eventually called off play for the day shortly before 2pm.

The two teams will hope for better fortunes tomorrow although the forecast is for more showers.

Worcestershire skipper Joe Leach, whose side pipped Notts to the Division Two title last September, said: “It has been really heartening to see the effort everyone at the club has put in from top to bottom to get the ground ready in time.

“The groundstaff have done a tremendous job and the officer staff, including the CEO Matt Rawnsley, have joined in with cleaning up the place.

“It is frustrating that the weather has beaten us today but hopefully, fingers crossed, it will be clear and dry for the next three days and we can get out there and play some cricket.”

When the match eventually gets under way, Worcestershire will be forced to make one change from the side beaten away to Hampshire and Somerset.

Former Sussex paceman Steve Magoffin has been ruled out with a hamstring strain.

England quick Stuart Broad is set to make his first appearance of the campaign for Notts since the tour of New Zealand after being rested for the opening couple of rounds of matches.