WORCESTERSHIRE are today facing an intriguing climax to their weather-hit Benson and Hedges Cup quarter-final showdown against Gloucestershire at Bristol.

Yesterday the rain relented sufficiently to enable Gloucestershire to make 193-7 with eight balls remaining in their innings.

But further wind and rain this morning meant there was no chance of a prompt start today.

There was optimism that play could begin later, but if the weather does not improve, a bowl-out may be used to settle the tie, in which five players from each side bowl two deliveries at a set of unguarded set of stumps.

Graeme Hick, leading the County in their first quarter-final appearance since 1995, won the toss and made a '60-40' decision to field as play began 75 minutes late.

One-day experts Gloucestershire, who bowled the County out for just 70 in a group match at New Road last month, produced an uncertain start.

They slid to 49-3 after 16 overs before a 90-run stand in 23 overs between opener Kim Barnett and Mark Alleyne gave their fortunes a welcome boost.

Worcestershire paceman Andy Bichel, back in action after recovering from a hamstring tweak, was first to strike when he trapped Craig Spearman leg before for 16.

Hick then safely pouched catches in the gully to oust Matthew Windows and Jeremy Snape off Alamgir Sheriyar and the economical Stuart Lampitt respectively.

Earlier, however, Hick had been unable to hold on to a difficult one-handed diving catch at second slip which would have dismissed Barnett when he was on just ten.

He was also dropped at mid-on by Sheriyar off Lampitt when on 43.

Barnett's reign, however, was finally ended when he was caught at mid-off by Anurag Singh off paceman Kabir Ali for 51 which included two fours off 105 balls.

Next over Alleyne was run out for 52 by a direct throw from the covers by Vikram Solanki off David Leatherdale. He notched seven fours off 82 balls.

Jack Russell and Martyn Ball chipped in with 13 and eight respectively before former Malvern College pupil Mark Hardinges was left high and dry on 29 not out when heavy rain ended play early at 3.15pm.