Anderson struck in the first over of the day

Kiwi all-rounder Chris Cairns hit an entertaining half-century to rescue Nottinghamshire from early difficultly against Lancashire on a rain-hit day at Old Trafford.

England Test hope Jimmy Anderson struck in the first over, having former Lancashire man Jason Gallian lbw with a single run on the board.

Glenn Chapple and Peter Martin also took a wicket each to leave the visitors 44-3.

But Cairns joined a diligent Darren Bicknell in adding an unbeaten 69 for the fourth wicket.

He was 51 not out from 73 deliveries, having struck eight boundaries, when rain stopped play shortly after lunch, and repeated attempts to restart finally ended due to bad light.

Bicknell was 30 not out after two-and-a-half hours at the crease, when stumps were drawn.

Lancashire: JM Anderson, G Chapple, MJ Chilton, A Flintoff, WK Hegg (capt), SG Law, MB Loye, PJ Martin, CP Schofield, IJ Sutcliffe, AJ Swann.

Nottinghamshire: U Afzaal, DJ Bicknell, CL Cairns, S Elworthy, PJ Franks, JER Gallian (capt), AJ Harris, KP Pietersen, CMW Read, BM Shafayat, GJ Smith.