Bears and Somerset are washed out

COUNTY CHAMPIONSHIP DIVISION ONE, Edgbaston:
Warwickshire v Somerset
5-8 August 2009
NO PLAY WEDNESDAY BECAUSE OF WET OUTFIELD
Coverage: Live ball-by-ball commentary on BBC Sport website; live scorecard on BBC Sport website, Ceefax and mobiles

No play was possible on day one of the County Championship Division One match between Warwickshire and Somerset at Edgbaston because of a wet outfield.

Heavy overnight rain in Birmingham left surface water around the covers.

But although the ground staff mopped that up, umpires Mark Benson and Neil Mallender abandoned play for the day following a 1200 BST inspection.

Recent bad weather in the city also badly affected the third Ashes Test at the weekend.

When the game gets underway Warwickshire may be forced to make a change to the team who won the local derby with Worcestershire at New Road.

Batsman Jonathan Trott has been called up to the England squad, along with Bears team-mate Ian Bell, for Thursday's fourth Test.

If Trott is selected at Headingley, Warwickshire will give a debut to Nathan Newport, son of former Worcestershire and England fast bowler Phil Newport.

Somerset batsman James Hildreth is doubtful with a stomach bug.

But, with openers Marcus Trescothick and Arul Suppiah in fine form in the weekend draw with Nottinghamshire, the visitors will not be short on batting.

Second-placed Somerset are looking to close the 32-point gap on leaders Durham.

Warwickshire, now up into fifth, will be seeking points to move further away from the danger end of the Division One table.