CLOSE: Sussex 119-1 (34)

Yardy 64, Joyce 34 at the close with only 28.2 overs today. That means 167 overs lost in total so far. Can't see anything other than Sussex looking for as many batting bonus points as they can get tomorrow. A draw would take them onto 127 points, the same as Yorkshire and Hampshire, as it stands but they could get five batting points if we get a full day's play. Forecast isn't great though. All very frustrating. Anyway, I am off to do footie tomorrow in York so will be back blogging again on Monday when Sussex face Notts in the Pro40 at Hove followed two days later by a Championship tussle with Warwickshire. Join me then and thanks for logging on today.

Sussex 104-1 (28.1)

Another shower has sent them scurrying off again and the light's not good either. Most of the punters have seen enough and are heading for the exits at the end of a thoroughly depressing day. Good progress by the Sussex batsman in the 22.3 overs we have had today, they have scored 93 runs. Yardy is 53 and Joyce 35 and I'm not sure if that will be it for the day.

Sussex 99-1 (27)

Yardy's reached his fifth 50 of the season from 76 balls with four fours and a six. He is playing well, looks in control out there. Joyce on 32 the stand now worth 62 in 14 overs. Gary Keedy about to come on for some left-arm spin at the Brian Statham end. 10 overs left tonight.

Sussex 62-1 (18.1)

Another squall but they are staying out there and Sussex have made decent progress since the resumption. Joyce has just tucked Mahmood off his hips through mid-wicket for four to go to 15 and Yardy is 34. Glen Chapple, who has been missing from Lancashire's attack for seven weeks because of injury, has brought himself on at the Brian Statham End in place of 'ogg and bowled two overs so far. Bright sunshine now!

Sussex 37-1 (13.5)

They are about to resume. Another five overs lost so we have another 22 overs to bowl today, weather permitting.

Sussex 37-1: Rain Stopped Play (13.5)

Off again I'm afraid although it looks like the shower will pass over pretty quickly. Yardy is 25 and has looked in good order and Joyce is 2.

WICKET: Sussex 27-1 (12.5)

Gatting goes for 10, middle and off stump plucked out of the ground by an inswinging yorker from Mahmood. Pretty unplayable that. Shame for Gatt as he was looking okay out there. Ed Joyce joining his captain now. Temperature here incidentally is 12 degrees.

Sussex 27-0 (12)

Not been much play today but we have seen the first six of the innings when Yardy pulled a short ball from Hogg into the empty stands beyond mid-wicket. He is 17 and Gatting 10. Did rain again briefly but as I have suspected all day the players are much less reluctant to go off once they are out there when there is another squall.

Sussex 11-0 (8.3)

Back out there again after the loss of four more overs. Still looks a bit threatening from where the weather is coming from. Mahmood to complete the ninth over.

Sussex 11-0 (8.3)

Well, that didn't lost long. We have had 18 balls with no runs added (and hardly a shot played in anger) and another shower has hit OT. Looks like this one will pass over fairly quickly though. All very frustrating. Yardy 8, Gatting 3.

Just been down below to chat to Paul Elford and the regulars who watch Sussex home and away. It can't be more than about 11 degs with a freezing wind which makes it feel more like late November rather than the first week of September. But they turn up, rain or shine, to support their side. They are going to India for the Champions League and have been regalling me with tales of how inexpensively they have managed to make the trip. Good luck to them.

Sussex 11-0 (6)

We are finally underway with 40 overs left today. Threat of rain persists but the wind has been blowing the clouds across and we have cricket. Hogg finished the sixth over and now we have Saj Mahmood bowling to Gatting from the Stretford End.

Early Tea: Inspection at 3pm

The players came out to warm up and were sent back for cover by another squall. Covers on again but it is dry and clearing up and there is still hope of a resumption at some stage. The umpires will have another look at 3pm.

Inspection at 2.15pm

A lot brighter and breezier here now and the groundstaff are removing the covers as I write. The umpires will have another look at 2.15pm and providing it stays dry I reckon we will be underway again at 3pm perhaps. Will keep you posted.

No play before lunch

All very frustrating. As soon as the groundstaff attempt to get the covers off there is another squall. The umps have decided to have an early lunch at 12 noon and will inspect again at 12.40pm. Dry at the moment but the dark clouds are banking up to my right again.

Good morning and welcome to Old Trafford for our third-day coverage of Sussex's Championship match against Lancashire.

We were on time for a prompt 10.30am start until a heavy shower swept over the ground about 15 minutes ago and the players had to run for cover and abort their warm-ups (no football played incidentally).

The covers are still on because of the threat of another downpour although the forecast is for an improvement as the day goes on.

All very frustrating for Sussex who are 11-0, having bowled out Lancs for 236 yesterday.

More updates when they are available but the sun is starting to peak through the clouds now which is good news.