Rain pushes England Lions game against New South Wales XI towards a draw

​Heavy rain in Wollongong hampered the chances of a result between England Lions and New South Wales XI, with only 26 overs bowled on day three.

The Lions trailed by 279 overnight, with five first-innings wickets remaining, but the abject weather meant no play was possible in the first session. An early lunch was taken but the rain came again in the early afternoon.

When it eventually eased, play started with 49 overs scheduled for the day. Sam Northeast resumed the day on 43, batting with nightwatchman Brydon Carse and the pair batted solidly to push the score along.

In tricky batting conditions under heavy cloud cover, Hampshire's Northeast calmly pushed past 50 as he and Carse added 83 for the sixth wicket. Carse himself looked a more-than-capable number seven, striking five fours on his way to 44 before bad light and the threat of more rain brought proceedings to an early close.

Northeast remains unbeaten on 77, with England still trailing by 203 runs heading into the final day. But with more poor weather forecast in the area on Thursday, a draw looks like it may be on the cards.

ENDS