GLOUCESTERSHIRE and Essex were left frustrated as poor Jubilee Bank Holiday weather in Bristol caused their Vitality Blast South Group contest to be abandoned without a ball bowled.
Rain began falling steadily during mid-afternoon and the big covers were pressed into service at the Seat Unique Stadium from 4.30pm, rendering notional any prospect of a full 20-overs-a-side game.
The latest start time for a reduced five-overs-a-side contest was 8.58pm, but umpires Nick Cook and Peter Hartley, who conducted an initial inspection an hour before scheduled start of play, took the decision to call it off at 7.45pm as rain continued to fall steadily.
A point apiece did little to aid either side's quest to reach the quarter-finals. Both have five points from as many games after being denied an opportunity to close the gap on South Group frontrunners Middlesex, Surrey and Somerset.
Gloucestershire return to action when they take on Glamorgan at Sophia Gardens next Tuesday, while the Eagles next play bottom-of-the-table Kent at Chelmsford the same evening.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here