Rob Key is happy to be leading an England Lions side all chasing personal agendas against the West Indies.

The Kent captain is spearheading an experienced line-up for the four-day encounter at Derby's County Ground knowing everyone has their eye on winning a place in the full England side.

It is a well-trodden path, with uncapped seamers Tim Bresnan and Graham Onions and Essex all-rounder Ravi Bopara, who were named in England's squad for the First Test with the Windies yesterday, all featuring for the Lions in recent seasons.

This time the Lions included Warwickshire batsman Ian Bell, who was overlooked for the Test squad, and have several other players with recent international experience including Sajid Mahmood, Tim Ambrose and Liam Plunkett.

“These games are all about individual agendas, which I don't think is a bad thing,” said Key (right). “If your agenda is to go out and score as many runs as you possibly can to get yourself in the England team then I'll take that.

“From a captaincy point of view, my job is all about making sure they get that opportunity.”

But the England hopefuls had little chance to stake their claims for bigger things because rain stopped play after just three overs today — though Warwickshire paceman Chris Woakes did make an impact by removing Lendl Simmons when he was caught behind by Ambrose for four.

County championship: Div 1 — Rose Bowl: Hants 341-8 v Sussex (start delayed, rain). Old Trafford: Lancs 189, Notts 133-3. Taunton: Durham 543, Somerset 69 & 120-1. Headingley: Yorks 460-6dec, Worcs 9-1 (rain).

Div 2 — Chelmsford: Essex 370, Kent 57-4. Sophia Gardens: Glamorgan 403-6dec, Derbys 37-2 (rain). Southgate: Middx 493-7dec, Leics 258 & 1-0. Northampton: Gloucs 294 & 222-9, Northants 161. Tour match — County Ground: West Indies 8-1 v England Lions (rain).