Paul Farbrace is happy to count Sussex’s blessings – and bonus points – after another rain-affected draw.

The county saw hopes of pushing for a win at Leicestershire ended by rain on the final day.

It was the second time already this season they have been on top in matches which were abbreviated by the conditions.

Frequent heavy showers killed off any prospect of a positive result from the Vitality County Championship division two contest, with no play possible at all on the final scheduled day.

Skipper John Simpson’s maiden double century had put Sussex in a strong position on day three, which ended with Leicestershire 270 in arrears at 86-1 in their second innings after the visitors declared at 694-9.

But, after a saturated outfield delayed the start on day four, the combination of more showers and the safety issues raised by trying to remove the covering sheets in winds gusting to gale force gave umpires James Middlebrook and Paul Pollard little option but to abandon the match as a draw shortly before 1pm.

Sussex take 14 points from this match, giving them 29 from the first two rounds.

Head coach Farbrace said: “It’s disappointing but, looking at it another way, we’ve had three days of good cricket.

“The ground staff did brilliantly to get us on considering the outfield is very soft and they’ve had a lot of rain here like everywhere else.

“It was a very good pitch and it was a shame for both sides that it couldn't be finished in the way both sides would have wanted, but I guess that’s cricket in April.

“We can take a lot of positives from the game.

“We played good cricket last week and couldn’t quite get over the line, and here we’ve bowled the opposition out for 330 and then batted ourselves into a position where there was only one side going to win the game.

“In both the first two games, we have been in with a good chance of winning going into the last day, which is what we’ve talked about doing.”

Sussex were rather closer to winning at home to Northants in the opening game than they were here.

But they played the better cricket at Grace Road, despite being without England bowler Ollie Robinson.

India run-machine Cheteshwar Pujara made his seasonal county bow but it felt like he was just getting into top gear.

There have been pleasing individual performances, including a second century in as many innings for opening bat Tom Haines.

Farbrace said: “Individually, we’ve had Haines continuing his good start to the season.

“Simpson getting a double hundred and (Danny) Lamb a hundred was outstanding for the pair of them after wanting to show their new team-mates what they are capable of.

“And (Fynn) Hudson-Prentice was outstanding again as he was against Northants last week.”

Sussex have played so far with the Kookaburra ball and Farbrace is happy to remain open-minded about that exercise.

He said: “My verdict on the Kookaburra? We’ve had two good games of cricket played on good pitches.

“The only time we’ve changed the ball was when it got hit out of the ground and lost.

“Yes, the bat has been slightly on top against the ball but the spinners have bowled a lot of overs and, while the seamers have got to be skilful to get it off the straight that’s the whole idea of using it, so I’ve got no complaints.

“That said, I’m still not absolutely sure that we need it and I don’t like the fact that every time we lose an Ashes series we have to change English cricket.

“We should concentrate on what we do well and certainly a lot of bowlers up and down the country will be looking forward to playing with the Dukes again next week.”

Events in the East Midlands will have further boosted some quiet confidence around Hove as to what this season could hold.

Sussex now prepare to face Gloucestershire at the 1st Central County Ground from Friday, when the expectation will be for Robinson to play in what could be their strongest Championship line-up for some time.