ONLY 21.5 overs were possible on day three of Worcestershire’s LV= County Championship Division Two game with Hampshire.

The hosts increased their total to 189-5, which means they still trail their opponents by 239 runs and need another 90 to avoid the follow-on.

The overnight rain forced the players to take an early lunch and play began at 1.10pm, with Hampshire making an almost immediate breakthrough.

Moeen Ali (32) endured a torrid start to the day, edging James Tomlinson’s first ball through the slip cordon for four, surviving a huge lbw appeal next up, before being trapped in front to the fifth.

Thilan Samaraweera went to his half-century off 90 balls, but could only add one further run before toe-ending a pull to Chris Wood at mid-on off Tomlinson (3-51).

Ross Whiteley unfurled a series of boundaries against Matt Coles, but the on-loan all-rounder took a fine tumbling catch off his own bowling to account for Tom Fell (32) as Worcestershire slipped to 180-5.

Bad light brought the tea interval early with Whiteley on 35 not out and wicketkeeper Ben Cox unbeaten on five, before the heavy rain arrived and curtailed the day’s play.