WORCESTERSHIRE quickly took two wickets in a brief burst of action during the rain-ravaged opening day of their Frizzell County Championship Division One match against Surrey at New Road.

During the seven overs that were possible yesterday, the visitors were reduced for 16-2.

It was Surrey's first Championship appearance at New Road in five years and was much the same as the last -- miserably wet.

In 1999 only 48.4 overs were bowled in four days and -- after four seasons apart under the two-division format -- the start was delayed yesterday until 4pm because of overnight rain and prolonged showers.

Assuming that the pitch would contain enough moisture to help his seamers, County skipper Ben Smith's decision to put Surrey in to bat was rewarded before the mini-session was ended by more rain.

Mark Butcher, in only his second Championship appearance of the season, did not benefit from his break from Test cricket with England and, with only six runs on the board, was out for four in the second over.

Having darted at the previous ball from Kabir Ali, he made contact in another foray outside off-stump and Steve Rhodes dived to his left to hold the edge in front of first slip.

Mark Ramprakash replaced Butcher and he soon added to Surrey's problems when run out for a 'duck'.

Opener Scott Newman and Graham Thorpe made a steady start for Surrey today and took the score on to 35-1 after 13 overs.