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Rain prevents play at Chelmsford

10 August 2018

Gloucestershire's chances of backing up an impressive performance against Middlesex in the Vitality T20 Blast were ruined by the rain as Friday's game against Essex was washed out without a ball being bowled.

It was the second successive season that Gloucestershire had made the journey to Chelmsford and not played, although this time the circumstances were different to a year ago..

In 2017, the umpires delayed a decision until the last possible moment, only to see more rain arrive when a 5 overs per side game had been scheduled. This time the rain had come earlier in the day, but by 4 o'clock the ground staff had started to remove the extensive covers, and both teams warmed up as normal.

Ahead of the scheduled start umpires Tim Robinson and Paul Pollard carried out one inspection but were concerened both about a wet outfield and clouds that threatened more rain.

They had another look at 7.00pm, when the game should have got underway, and informed skipper Michael Klinger and his Essex counterpart Ryan ten Doeschate that despite the fact that no more rain had fallen, the outfield had not improved and they considered it unfit for play.

Gloucestershire take one point, and remain second in the South Group behind Somerset, who beat Surrey in a game that beat the weather at Taunton.

Gloucestershire are next in action on Sunday at the Brightside Ground against Surrey (2.30pm) 

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