Day Three Match Report: No play possible at Chelmsford
Friday 24th May 2013
A frustrating day at the Essex County Ground saw not a single ball bowled on the third day of the match between Essex and Kent.
The rain that had continued throughout the morning finally ceased in mid-afternoon, allowing umpires Michael Gough and Alex Wharf to hold an inspection.
The officials decided that they would hold a further inspection 30 minutes later, leaving groundsman Stuart Kerrison and his staff to continue their mopping-up operations.
However, before the umpires could re-appear, the weather closed in once again and play was finally called off for the day at 4.15pm.
Essex have now lost a total of 277 overs in County Championship cricket at home this year – although that represents half of the overs lost in the corresponding period last year, when 553 overs at Chelmsford were wiped out by the weather.
Kent are currently two runs ahead of their hosts, having reached 214 for five in their first innings at the close of the second day's play.
Darren Stevens has 91 and Geraint Jones is 12 not out and they have a further 27 overs at their disposal to add to their current match tally of one batting bonus point, while Essex also harbour hopes of building on their solitary bowling bonus point.
Click here for the ECB scorecard