Rainy season opener in England

Rain, as much a part of cricket in England as Lord's itself, had the last word here Sunday in the opening match of the 2008 English season when a persistent downpour washed out the final day's play in the traditional curtain-raiser between MCC and the county champions, Sussex.
Not a ball was bowled Sunday on the fourth day at Lord's, the match ending in a draw.
The game was already heading towards a stalemate with Sussex 474 for five in their second innings overnight, a lead of 440, with Luke Wright a career-best 155 not out and Robin Martin-Jenkins unbeaten on 73.
Earlier, Sussex's South Australia pace bowler Ryan Harris took four for 36 as MCC were bowled out for 205 in an innings where England batsman Owais Shah top-scored with 72 and no-one else made more than 33.
Sussex begin the defence of their County Championship title away to south coast rivals Hampshire at the Rose Bowl on Wednesday.
BRIEF SCORES
SUSSEX: 171 (S Kirby 4-39, J Tredwell 3-19, G Onions 3-49) and 474-5 (L Wright 155 not out, C Nash 90, R Martin-Jenkins 73 not out; C Shreck 3-119)
MCC: 205 (O Shah 72; R Harris 4-36)
Result: Match abandoned as a draw.