PLAY was abandoned for the day at Old Trafford after continuous overnight rain left the Manchester Test venue under water.

Umpires for Lancashire's championship clash with Kent, Vanburn Holder and Ian Gould, inspected at 11am and quickly sent the players home with a third of the outfield under water.

Only 39 balls were bowled on the opening day of a game that is now almost certain to finish as a rain-ruined draw.