WORCESTERSHIRE'S County Championship Division Two match against Derbyshire was washed out for the second day running at New Road today.

Further rain made it impossible for the game to get underway and umpires Jeremy Lloyds and Bob White abandoned play for the day shortly before 10am.

Yesterday play was officially called off just before 4pm due to a soaking wet outfield.

The County's first home Championship match of the season with Sussex was abandoned as a draw, with less than two days possible. The wet weather forced them to play two one-day games at Kidderminster's Chester Road ground.

Worcestershire, without a win in their last five matches, expect to have opening batsman Paul Pollard back in action after a nagging hamstring injury. He has missed the last six matches.

l Waiting in hope . . . two hardy fans watch the mopping-up operations at New Road.