THERE was little for Kent or champions elect Nottinghamshire to crow about on a rain-ruined second day of their Frizzell Division one clash in Canterbury.

Steady drizzle delayed the start until 5pm with the loss of 88 overs and light was still poor when Nottinghamshire resumed their first innings on their overnight score of 397 for five.

Just 16 overs play were possible as Nottinghamshire reached 455 for six after 120 overs of their first innings, with Mark Ealham unbeaten on 61 and Graeme Swann on 13.

The visitors posted 400 and maximum batting bonus points when former Kent all-rounder Ealham cut through backward point for four.

At the other end Nottinghamshire skipper Jason Gallian added eight runs to his Wednesday score, only to be run out on 199 for the second time this season.

The ex-Lancashire batsman clipped firmly off his legs and possibly expected a boundary, but the damp outfield held the ball up allowing Neil Dexter to overtake the ball and throw in to the striker’s end for Niall O’Brien to effect the run out.

Ealham and Swann batted through to the close thereafter but, with just two days remaining and a poor weather forecast ahead, a draw appears to be the only outcome in this game which will effectively end Kent’s outside title chances.

SCORECARD

Nottinghamshire first innings

D J Bicknell b Cook 64
J E R Gallian run out 199
R J Warren lbw b Khan 8
S P Fleming c Saggers b Khan 1
D J Hussey c Dexter b Stevens 11
C M W Read c Fulton b Walker 75
M A Ealham not out 61
G P Swann not out 13
Extras 23

Total 455 for six after 120 overs.

Fall of wicket: 1-157, 2-174,l 3-178, 4-194, 5-340, 6-420.

Bowling: Saggers 23-3-99-0, Khan 28-10-72-2, Cook 18-5-89-1, Dexter 10-1-55-0, Stevens 18-1-70-1, Patel 18-1-48-0, Walker 4-0-12-1.

* MARK PENNEL'S DAY THREE REPORT WILL APPEAR HERE AT CLOSE OF PLAY.