First-day washout for Northants and Kent

After a downpour in the Northampton area during the early hours and fine drizzle in the morning, the weather had eased up by early afternoon and umpires Neil Mallinder and Steve Garrett called an early lunch for 1.20pm.

But after the toss took place, rain returned in heavier quantities before play had chance to break out at 2.15.

The prospect of a cricket-less day grew and became a reality when with further rain highly likely, the umpires gave up the ghost at just before 5pm.

Northants captain Alex Wakely opted to bat first on a pitch which was distinctly greener than most Wantage Road surfaces this season, which has produced an average first innings score of 372 this season.

Adam Rossington returned to the team for Stephen Peters, who suffered a broken thumb in the draw with Essex.

Kent, who have suffered two straight Championship defeats to Surrey and Derbyshire, included MItchell Claydon and Jake Ball at the expense of Callum Haggett and Fabian Cowdrey.