Sodden outfield prevents play at Cheltenham

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There was no play on day three of the LV= County Championship match between Gloucestershire and Essex at Cheltenham.

Although the weather had been dry, so much rain fell the previous day that there was not sufficient chance for the soaked outfield to recover.

With the sun shining and some people in the crowd expressing displeasure over the wait for play, the umpires invited one spectator onto the playing area to see for himself that conditions were unfit. The abandonment of play soon followed at 3pm.

Gloucestershire were due to resume their first innings on 284 for four.

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