No play possible at Chelmsford

There was no play on the opening day of the County Championship match between Essex and Northamptonshire at Chelmsford.

Heavy rain in the early hours of the morning and a series of prolonged heavy showers throughout the day left umpires Nigel Cowley and Steve Gale with little option but to formally call off matters at 1515, thwarting the determined attempts of the groundstaff to overcome the odds.

Neither team has yet been announced and the toss has not taken place.