OVERNIGHT rain prevented a prompt start to Worcestershire's Benson and Hedges Cup quarter-final showdown against Gloucestershire at Bristol today.

Mopping up operations were in progress throughout the morning with umpires Nigel Cowley and Jeffrey Evans carrying out inspections at 10am and 11am.

Although conditions were reasonably bright at the scheduled start time of 10.45 am further rain was forecast for later in the day.

Worcestershire, in the quarter- finals for the first time since 1995, were hopeful of having pace star Andy Bichel available after he suffered a hamstring injury in the home Frizzell County Championship Division Two defeat against Essex.