Only 40 overs were possible due to frequent squally showers as Worcestershire maintained their grip over the side immediately above them in the Division Two table.

The visitors struggled with the bat, as Notts had done on the first day, and were dismissed for 252, having been well-placed at 130-3 at the start of the day. Anurag Singh top scored with 88 before being undone by the best ball of the day, a peach of a delivery which squared up the batter before clipping his off bail.

Andy Bichel scorched to his second Championship 50, in just an hour, but was then last man out three balls into the afternoon session, which began 55 minutes late. Greg Smith took the plaudits with ball, reaping his first five-wicket haul for three months to end with 5-59.

Nadeem Malik, the England Under-19 bowler, failed to collect his first first-class wicket but did deflect a Bichel drive on to the stumps to run out the unfortunate Steve Rhodes, who hadn't faced a ball.

When Notts batted for the second time, 103 runs in arrears, they were indebted to a wayward first over from Bichel which cost 15 runs but then soon lost their first wicket.

John Morris, for the second time in the match, failed to cope with an inswinger from Alamgir Sheriyar and got an inside edge on to his leg stump.

After another lengthy delay Greg Blewett got off the mark with a crisp drive through the covers but on 39-1, with four lights showing on the scoreboard meter, he and skipper Darren Bicknell accepted the invitation to retire to the pavilion.

Shortly afterwards another downpour prevented any prospect of a resumption so Notts will begin Day Three still 64 runs adrift with nine wickets in hand.

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