Royal London One-Day Cup match v Essex abandoned
Sunday 26th July 2015
Heavy and persistent rain forced today’s Royal London One-Day Cup Group B match between Kent and Essex at Tunbridge Wells to be abandoned without a ball being bowled.
A crowd of around 4,000 had been expected for the last game of the 103rdTunbridge Wells Festival at the picturesque Nevill Ground, which would have pushed the overall attendance for the six-day festival close to 15,000.
The bad weather quickly left the outfield saturated and, at 12.10pm, umpires Rob Bailey and Billy Taylor decided that there was no prospect of play, especially with the forecast showing no let up in the rain during the afternoon.
It was a sensible decision by the officials, and Kent and Essex both take a point from the no result.
It also means that Kent lead the Mike Denness Challenge Shield, by 5-4, in the annual competition between the two counties in memory of the former Kent and Essex batsman.
The Shield, introduced in 2014 in memory of former Kent and England captain Mike Denness, who also played in Essex’s County Championship-winning team in 1979 towards the end of his career, was won in its inaugural year by Essex.
It is contested over all formats, and so Kent will win this year’s trophy unless the two teams meet again in the knockout stages of either the NatWest T20 Blast or the Royal London One-Day Cup and Essex win that match or matches.
Two points are the reward for a championship victory and a point is earned for each limited-overs win or draw.
Tickets for today’s fixture can be exchanged for another Kent Cricket fixture.
Call the Kent Cricket office on 01227 456 886 (weekdays 9am to 5pm) or e-mail feedback.kent@ecb.co.uk for more details.