Rain marred the first day of Middlesex's final LV County Championship Division Two match of the season, against Derbyshire at Uxbridge.

The home side need to win the game to have a chance of avoiding finishing bottom of the Championship for the first time in their 145-year history, while Derbyshire need to win to keep their hopes of promotion alive.

But the rain had the final word on the first day as Derbyshire batted first after winning the toss and made it to 72 for one before rain forced an early lunch.

The only wicket to fall came in the 15th over, when Derbyshire skipper Chris Rogers was caught behind off Tim Murtagh for 25.

Further showers through the afternoon led to play being called off for the day at 4pm.

Meanwhile, Middlesex have announced 34-year-old seam bowlers Alan Richardson and Chris Silverwood are leaving the county.

Richardson has signed a two-year contract with Worcestershire from the start of next season, while the club have decided not to offer Silverwood a new deal for 2010.

The pair have been limited by injuries through their careers with Middlesex. Richardson has played 43 first-class matches since joining them from Warwickshire in 2005 and Silverwood has played 35 times since leaving Yorkshire in 2006.

The club offered Richardson a new role combining coaching and playing but he turned it down to extend his playing career.