WARWICKSHIRE and Somerset's hopes of pushing for a first Specsavers County Championship Division One victory of the season were thwarted by a third-day washout at Edgbaston.

Both sides have drawn their first three matches of 2016 although it appeared there would be a winner in this contest when the hosts closed on four without loss, needing another 318 to win in two days.

But there was never a chance of play on Tuesday as heavy overnight rain was followed by steady drizzle throughout the morning and early afternoon, leading to a call-off for the day at 3.10pm.

The teams will hope for better luck with the weather on the final day, although the forecast is not promising.

Ian Bell is expected to bat, if required, for Warwickshire, who are still awaiting the results of the scan that the England player has had on his sore hamstring.