Lyndon James claimed the third five-wicket haul of his First-Class career but conditions combined to stunt Nottinghamshire’s push for victory on the third day of their Rothesay County Championship clash with Worcestershire.

Only 40.2 overs were possible on a third day that saw no fewer than five weather or light-related interruptions, with the bulk of the play that occurred happening before the lunch break.

Having claimed three of the final five Pears wickets to fall on the third morning, bowling the hosts out for 160 in the process, James completed his second five-for of the season in returning 5/35.

That left Notts a victory target of 136, but ultimately, only 14.3 overs of that were possible as the frequent delays left them on 40-1 at stumps, still 96 shy of victory.

The Green and Golds made the prompt start they wanted on the third day as the weather did allow play to begin on time, but they were made to work for a breakthrough.

The sixth-wicket pair of Gareth Roderick and Ethan Brookes added 52 in 26 overs before the impressive James struck with successive balls.

Brookes drove a wide delivery straight to cover where substitute fielder Joe Pocklington took a smart catch at chest height, before Matthew Waite was pinned lbw first ball.

Tom Taylor survived the hat-trick ball, but seven overs later endured a candidate for most aggravating minute of the season as a short ball from Dillon Pennington rose only knee high to pin him lbw.

To the visitors’ delight, the rain cleared to allow play after an early lunch and the innings was quickly polished off.

Tongue had Ben Allison caught at first slip after finding his edge multiple times without success, before James completed his five-for by splattering Khurram Shahzad’s stumps.

Captain Haseeb Hameed was bowled by Taylor early in the pursuit, but Ben Slater and Freddie McCann, the latter playing with considerable panache in the gloom, applied themselves professionally.

Together, despite only being able to bat for 11.5 overs, the duo securely added an unbroken 40 to advance their side to within touching distance of victory.

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