Essex were left counting the cost after their Twenty20 Cup clash against Surrey fell victim to last night's heavy rain at Chelmsford last night without a ball being bowled.

Although the county had the foresight to insure gate receipts against a wash-out, extra cash from spin-offs was not included.

"Our policy only covered for loss of gate money", explained chief executive David East. "Cash generated from such things as programme sales, the club shop, catering and bar did not figure in the insurance.

"We were anticipating a capacity crowd of 7000 and that would have netted us somewhere in the region of £10,000 extra revenue."

The Essex supremeo refused to say what sum the cover would pay-out but it is likely to be in the region of £50,000.

"It cost us several thousand pounds to take out the cover and obviously it has proved money well spent," he said.

Essex will refund the face value of tickets purchased, less a £2 administration charge. Send the ticket with your name and address to T20 Refunds, Essex County Cricket Club, New Writtle Street, Chelmsford CM2 OPG by August 13.

Published Thursday July 8, 2004

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