Yorkshire title challenge hit by rain at Scarborough

Morning rain meant no action was possible before lunch but umpires Trevor Jesty and Richard Kettleborough were able to inspect at 1.15pm when they decided that the game could begin at 2.30.

But half an hour before then the rain returned with a vengeance and the umpires called it off for the day at 3.25.

Yorkshire, with three games to play, are aware that they need every point they can muster if they are to finish ahead of leaders Nottinghamshire and second-placed Somerset.

Nottinghamshire lead them by six points and have a game in hand while Somerset are just two points in front of the Tykes.

Meanwhile, Yorkshire face a potential problem if, as seems likely, they reach the semi-finals of the Clydesdale Bank 40 on September 10 and receive a home draw.

The match could not be played at Headingley because the England v Pakistan one-day international takes place there the following day.

Yorkshire would like the game to be played at Scarborough but Sky say they cannot get their trucks into the North Marine Road ground in order to cover the match.

Yorkshire have asked the ECB to come up with a solution.