No play was possible at Emirates Old Trafford on the first day of the LV=Insurance County Championship Group Three clash between Lancashire and Kent after rain fell throughout the morning and early afternoon.

Proceedings were eventually abandoned at 3.30pm with little prospect of the poor weather abating over Manchester.Lancashire currently sit top of Group Three, 16 points clear of Northamptonshire in third place with two rounds remaining.

A win should see the Red Rose progress to challenge for the County Championship as one of the top two sides from the three groups. The hosts will be bidding for their fifth win of the season in nine games, with one of those wins coming against Kent at Canterbury by an innings at the end of April.

Lancashire named James Anderson in their line up as he prepares for England’s forthcoming Test series against India, starting early next month.