County suffer another washout

Result: Leics Foxes v Worcs Royals 67-1 (one point each) - match abandoned

The weather again got the better of Leicestershire Foxes as the FPT match with Worcestershire Royals was rained off.

With Nottinghamshire Outlaws beating Ireland in Clontarf in another rain-affected game, it now means County cannot qualify from Group A.

Although the team had a disappointing start with three defeats, the Foxes won the next two matches to give themselves a chance of qualifying.

However, with successive washouts, the task was made impossible.

With the number of wins the first deciding factor of qualification when points are level, Worcs and Notts are already unreachable on that front with four wins apiece and have nine and eight points respectively.

The maximum amount County can obtain is eight points with three wins, and with only two places up for grabs, that means it is not possible to get through.

The game with Worcs was frustrating for both sides, who both could have done with the two points on offer.

A combination of heavy downpours and a strong wind made conditions extremely unpleasant at first – and unplayable later.

County were forced to make three changes from the side that beat the Royals on Tuesday.

Matthew Boyce and Alex Wyatt were still under the weather with illness picked up while on the Ireland trip, and HD Ackerman was a late withdrawal with a groin strain.

In their place were Tom New, Josh Cobb and the returning AJ Harris, who was passed fit despite nursing a bruised foot of late.

Rain delayed the start until 2pm, with visiting skipper Vikram Solanki winning the toss and elected to bat.

The decision proved a good one for both he and the team, as the Royals moved to 67-1 from the first of eight 31 scheduled overs.

Solanki played with some style, making an unbeaten 43 in that time.

He drove over point for six, and generally used his feet well to the seamers during an innovative knock, and he also struck six fours along the way.

The wicket to fall was that of Steve Davies. The batsman was dimissed couresty off a fine catch by Carl Crowe in the swirling wind at mid-off as former Royals' loanee Harris snared the wicket.

Steve Moore then came in to share 40 with his captain, with Harry Gurney and Jim Allenby also bowling for the Foxes.

A heavy downpour sent then sent the players scurrying for cover, and they were unable to return.

Umpires Martin Bodenham and Vanburn Holder called the game off at 5pm.