WORCESTERSHIRE’S quest for batting bonus points was thwarted by the weather as play was abandoned on the final day of the LV= County Championship clash with Somerset at Taunton.

The visitors stood on 172-4 in reply to Somerset’s 565-5 declared and were hoping for at least some play to enable them to have the opportunity to add some additional points.

But the umpires called the game off at 1.30pm to leave Worcestershire with a total of six points from the Division One game — one for bowling and five for a draw.

It means they have been overtaken by Sussex who accrued 12 points from their abandoned match with Yorkshire.

Worcestershire are four points behind seventh-placed Sussex who visit New Road from September 1 to 4.

But there is all still to play for in the finale with director of cricket Steve Rhodes’ side very much in contention in the battle to stay up.

Ross Whiteley and Ben Cox had transformed Worcestershire’s fortunes on the third day with a splendid unbroken fifth-wicket partnership of 139 in 25.5 overs.

But they were unable to return to the crease and Whiteley finished unbeaten on 78 and Cox 52.

Meanwhile, Moeen Ali believes Worcestershire’s performances in Division One of the Championship during 2015 have “been better” than in previous seasons in the top flight.

The England all-rounder has been impressed with the way skipper Daryl Mitchell and his side have battled to try and retain their Division One status following last summer’s promotion.

Moeen said: “There is some massive Championship cricket to come over the next few weeks.

“That is the most important thing for us this year now and we will have to play well.

We’re second from bottom at the moment so we have got a chance.”