Washout at Chelmsford

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Overnight downpours and persistent rain during the day forced the abandonment of the first day between Essex and Northamptonshire

There was no play on the opening day of the LV= County Championship Division Two match between Essex and Northamptonshire at Chelmsford.

Heavy rain in the early hours of the morning and a series of prolonged heavy showers throughout the day left umpires Nigel Cowley and Steve Gale with little option but to formally call off matters at 3.15pm, thwarting the determined attempts of the groundstaff to overcome the odds.

Neither team had been announced and the toss had not taken place.

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