Only 8.1 overs were bowled at Taunton on the first day of Nottinghamshire’s LV= County Championship match against Somerset.

Put into bat, Notts had reached 18 for the loss of Riki Wessels wicket when play was called off for the day.

Heavy morning and early afternoon rain wiped out the possibility of any action during the opening two sessions but they eventually got underway at just before a quarter to five, with a scheduled 29 overs possible.

Notts included Graeme Swann and James Taylor, both given dispensation to play by the ECB, and also chose Paul Franks instead of Andy Carter.

The home team were delighted to give a debut to Pakistan’ Test spinner Abdur Rehman, especially as they were missing Craig Kieswetter and Nick Compton, away on England Lions duty alongside Notts’ Samit Patel.

There was a huge appeal for a wicket from the first delivery of the match, as Somerset claimed that Peter Trego’s delivery had kissed the outside edge of Riki Wessels’ bat.

A similar look of disbelief fell upon Steve Kirby’s face in the sixth over as he felt that Alex Hales had nicked behind but again, the decision was not out.

Kirby’s mood wouldn’t have been improved as a swinging delivery then moved sharply away from Jos Buttler and flew along the ground for four byes.

The conditions were certainly helping both of the bowlers and they sent down numerous deliveries which flew past the outside edge of the bats.

The start of the ninth over produced the breakthrough with Wessels (6) snicking Trego and Marcus Trescothick hung on to a low catch at second slip.

Before Michael Lumb could reach the middle the rain intensified and play was suspended.

With conditions expected to be vastly improved, Notts will resume on 18-1 on the second morning.