Promotion-chasing Nottinghamshire were frustrated by rain for the second day running in their clash against rock-bottom Durham at Trent Bridge.

After most of the first day had been lost to the weather, Notts made good progress to reach 306 for three off 87 overs in their first innings.

However, a combination of rain and bad light then returned to wipe out the whole of the post-tea session.

Out-of-favour England batsman Usman Afzaal took centre stage with a sparkling 91 not out off just 139 balls with 15 fours and a six.

Quick scoring

And he received good support from Darren Bicknell, Guy Welton and Bilal Shafayat.

When Notts, aiming for their sixth Championship win in eight outings, resumed on 56 for one Welton and Bicknell were quickly into their stride on a good, but slow, batting wicket.

Both batsmen punished any loose deliveries and the total had moved on to 121 in the 41st over before Durham made their first breakthrough of the day.

Bicknell (54) played down the wrong line to a good-length ball from Marc Symington and was trapped leg before.

Bowling rotation

The second-wicket stand was worth 109 with Bicknell scoring his runs off 104 balls and hitting eight boundaries.

Afzaal joined forces with Welton and, although Durham used six bowlers in an effort to stem the scoring rate, the pair advanced Notts' total to 189 for two at lunch.

Only four runs had been added and Welton had failed to add to his lunch score of 77 when he was run out after an unfortunate mix-up with Afzaal.

Welton faced 168 balls, hitting 13 fours and a six.

Despite this setback, Notts continued to make smooth progress as Afzaal took up the attack.

Heavy punishment

He hammered successive balls from Ian Hunter to the long-on boundary and then lofted a short-pitched delivery for six over the deep mid-wicket fence.

Afzaal and Shafayat (46 not out) continued to dish out heavy punishment to a toiling Durham attack.

Their unbroken fourth-wicket stand was worth 113 when the heavens opened with the tea interval imminent.

With so much play lost on the first two days, Notts will be hoping to post a substantial total and still leave themselves enough time to bowl Durham out twice.

Nottinghamshire: J E R Gallian (Capt), G E Welton, D J Bicknell, U Afzaal, P Johnson, B M Shafayat, C M W Read (Wkt), P J Franks, S C G MacGill, G J Smith, A J Harris.

Durham: M A Gough, G J Pratt, B J Hodge, G J Muchall, A M Thorpe, M J Symington, A Pratt (Wkt), I D Hunter, N C Phillips (Capt), S J Harmison, N Killeen.