ENGLAND Test captain Joe Root’s return to county cricket was delayed as rain ruined the opening night Vitality Blast clash between Yorkshire and Nottinghamshire at Emerald Headingley.

Root was due to play for the hosts in this North Group fixture only two days after finishing the summer Test programme against Pakistan at Southampton’s Ageas Bowl on Tuesday.

But heavy rain from mid-afternoon onwards in Leeds forced umpires Peter Hartley and Neil Mallender to call the game off shortly after 7pm.

Since meeting in the second round of the Bob Willis four-day Trophy at Trent Bridge earlier this month, a fixture which Yorkshire won, bad weather has forced both sides to settle for draws in their following two fixtures.

Though a different format, that trend continued on Thursday, with both taking a point apiece.

Root’s availability moving forwards is unclear, although Yorkshire hope he will be able to play against Derbyshire here on Sunday (2pm).