More than two sessions of play were lost on the scheduled Third Day of Nottinghamshire’s Specsavers County Championship match against Northamptonshire at Wantage Road.

Bad light forced the players from the field, around 20 minutes before lunch, and the conditions failed to improve during an afternoon and evening that saw lots of rain fall, long before the umpires eventually called a premature conclusion.

In the 25.3 overs of play that were permittable, Notts moved their second innings score on to 107 for three, meaning they still require a further 207 runs for victory.

Luke Wood was the only wicket to go down, dismissed on 44 for the second time in the match. Sent out as a night-watchman, Wood said that he enjoyed his time in the middle.

“It’s always nice to get out there and have a bat. I do pride myself on my batting, so it is nice to get out there and get a few runs.”

He confirmed that he was happy to step up and go in for the final few overs of the day, in both innings. “Every opportunity I get to bat is a bonus, so having done my job with the ball I wanted to get out there and score some runs.”

Wood played in a positive manner on the third morning, getting Notts off to the sort of start they would have hoped for. “There probably wasn’t as much movement this morning,” he stated. “Batting in the last innings always helps and maybe the bowlers were a little more tired today – but it didn’t seem as difficult, although you are still going to get balls that will trouble you.”

The 22-year old revealed what the team message had been before start of play. “It was all about ‘Don’t have any fear in what you are doing, just go out and play.’ We believe we have still got the players to come that can chase this down.”

The third day began with Notts on 33 for two in their second innings and they were gifted four runs from the opening ball, as Rory Kleinveldt speared four byes down the leg side.

Runs began to flow readily, with 18 coming from the first three overs and 37 coming inside the first half hour, as Wood and Jake Libby brought up their 50 partnership.

Wood had one moment of concern when he checked his drive against Kleinveldt and was relieved to see a diving Alex Wakeley put down the difficult chance at mid-off.

The two youngsters punished any width and ran diligently, putting on 75 together before they were parted.

Wood battled bravely, having taken a few blows to the hands and body, on his way to a knock that featured eight boundaries in his 79-ball stay.

His departure offered some sort of redemption for the Northants’ captain Wakeley, who had been injured whilst diving to try and catch Wood in the first innings.

A lofted blow down the ground off Nathan Buck again tested the home skipper but his judgement was sound and the home county had their much-needed breakthrough.

Cheteshwar Pujara avoided a pair, when he clipped through the leg side to get off the mark and the Indian Test star had helped Libby take the score into three figures before the light deteriorated.

Libby remains undefeated on 30, with Notts hoping to secure promotion to the First Division when they resume on the final day.