A tiny hole in one of the Old Trafford covers caused the Norwich Union second division clash between Lancashire and Durham to be abandoned without a ball being bowled.

Heavy overnight rain leaked on to the pitch leaving a wet patch.

"It is unfortunate, but there is nothing we can do about it," said head groundsman Peter Marron.

"The hole was probably caused by a player's stud and would have been impossible to detect."

It was the tenth full day's cricket lost at Old Trafford this season. It followed two abandoned CricInfo Championship matches against Surrey and Glamorgan and another Norwich Union League fixture with Hampshire Hawks.

In all the previous wipe-outs, a waterlogged outfield was to blame.

© CricInfo Ltd.