Lancashire's relegation worries deepened as rain ruined the first day of their Cricinfo Championship match against Kent at Old Trafford.

Kent reached 117 for three after being put in before rain forced an early lunch, and continued all afternoon with play abandoned at 4pm.

Lancashire therefore took a single bowling bonus point while relegation rivals Northants, five points behind them at start of play, piled on the runs against Somerset at Taunton.

The day had started well for Lancashire with Glen Chapple trapping David Fulton lbw for a duck and having Ed Smith brilliantly caught by Mark Chilton at short leg for seven to leave Kent on 12 for two.

But Robert Key and Andrew Symonds responded with a third-wicket stand of 77.

Muttiah Muralitharan, who Lancashire flew back from Sri Lanka especially for this game and was bowling by the 12th over, then took a sharp return catch to dismiss Symonds for an entertaining 50-ball 43, which included five boundaries.

But Key moved on to 42 and was joined by Matthew Walker to take the total to 117 for three when the rain set in at 12.30.

Lancashire were missing Peter Martin because of a shin injury and there was no Mike Atherton, who changed his mind about making an Old Trafford farewell because of his ongoing back problems.

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