Sussex had a desperately frustrating morning as they attempted to get their stuttering one day season up and running this morning.

Skipper Chris Adams lost the toss and his side were put in to bat in their testing C&G Trophy fourth round tie away to Lancashire. But that was the only significant action out in the middle of a wet and windy Old Trafford.

Play was initially delayed for an hour after heavy overnight and morning rain left part of the outfield saturated.

A small amount of water had also got onto the square.

Slate grey skies and chilly gusting wind made Manchester's Test match venue a bleak place to be for the hardy few who braved the elements. Then, just when it seemed their patience had been rewarded, rain returned for a further delay.

Umpire Vanburn Holder and Ken Palmer eventually emerged at midday but had only just stepped on to the outfield when the heaviest rain of the morning swept the ground and wiped out any chance of morning play.

Sussex enjoyed a workout in Old Trafford's indoor nets. They included Jamie Carpenter in their middle order with Will House missing out. Seamer Glenn Chapple, who has been struggling with a side strain, missed out for the hosts. Mike Smethurst took his place.

Sussex: Montgomerie, Goodwin, Adams, Zuiderent, Yardy, Carpenter, Prior, Davis, Kirtley, Lewry, Robinson.

Lancashire: Atherton, Crawley, Flintoff, Fairbrother, Lloyd, Schofield, Hegg, Wood, Martin, Smethurst, Muralitharan.