Essex's hopes of improving their lingering promotion prospects in the County Championship were dashed when the match with Durham at Colchester was abandoned.

To add to the home side's frustrations, the weather on Saturday was the best of the four-day match but not a ball was bowled on the day.

Thursday's play had also been totally washed out and torrential overnight rain on Friday night and Saturday morning left ground staff facing a lake on the outfield when they arrived.

Despite continuous mopping-up operations, the saturated conditions of the outfield proved too difficult to overcome.

That left Essex with nine points from a match they would have banked on winning to bolster their promotion prospects after they had gained the initiative following an excellent batting display on Friday, particularly from Will Jefferson and Andy Flower.

Durham had been dismissed for 268 with former Essex batsman Jonathan Lewis reaching 127, while leg-spinner Danish Kaneria marked his return to county cricket by taking four for 70.

Essex, though, began in whirlwind fashion with openers Jefferson and Paul Grayson posting 104 from 22 overs before the stand was ended when Grayson, on 26, picked out short extra cover.

That allowed Flower to enter the fray and he was soon joining Jefferson on the rampage as the pair drove and cut freely putting on 143 in 21 overs before Flower was caught on 72 cutting to third man.

Published Monday August 23, 2004

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