Match Abandoned at Chelmsford
18 June 2021
Gloucestershire’s trip to the Cloudfm County Ground, Chelmsford in the Vitality Blast was abandoned without a ball being bowled for the fifth year in a row.
Persistent heavy rain throughout Friday meant that the outfield became saturated and any play was unlikely, despite Stuart Kerrison and his ground staff team’s hard work.
The umpires made sure the curse of the fixture remained at a 5.15pm inspection to give Gloucestershire and Essex Eagles a point each.
The two sides now haven’t met at the Eagles’ home since 2016 – where Michael Klinger’s 78 set up an eight-wicket victory.
Of the Eagles side which played that day, only three were in the squad to feature tonight – including Dan Lawrence who was due to make his return after his England Test appearances.
In 2018 and 2019 rain meant no action as possible, with 2017 the outlier due to a toss being made and teams named before the inclement weather arrived.
The 2020 fixture was also cancelled although on that occasion it was the Covid-19 pandemic, with the two counties split into different groups, rather than the weather that accounted for the lack of action.
Essex are back in action on Sunday against Kent Spitfires, aiming to halt a four-game winless run in the Blast, while mid-table Gloucestershire face Hampshire Hawks at home on the same day.
