Essex Eagles' match with Surrey was abandoned because of rain.

Essex had reached 135-5 from 25.1 overs before rain initially forced the teams off and then stopped any more play.

Will Jefferson was top scorer on 61 not out.

Essex captain Ronnie Irani believed that due of the amount of surface water it was not fit to resume.

His Surrey counterpart Jonathan Batty, whose side are at the foot of the table, said that although conditions weren't ideal he believed that they could have got a game in.

Published Thursday August 26, 2004