Only 11 overs of play were possible before a thunderstorm, followed by torrential rain saturated the Castle Park ground in Colchester. By 2.30 p.m. – with the rain still falling heavily - umpires John Holder and Paul Adams decided that there was no possibility of play resuming and the match was abandoned.

The two points leaves Essex rooted to the foot of the table whilst for the third time this season, their opponents were left to reflect on a "no result" contest.

In the 42 minutes of play that did take place in heavy threatening skies, Lancashire had reached 32-2 after winning the toss.

There was an early let-off for Glen Chapple who was dropped by Ashley Cowan at deep third man off the bowling of Ronnie Irani when the opener had scored just one run with the score on 5.

However, the slip did not prove costly and it was Cowan who redeemed himself when he found the edge of Chapple's bat in his third over to give James Foster a straight-forward catch. The batsman had added only five more runs and the bowler turned the earlier jeers to further cheers when he captured the wicket of the threatening Andrew Flintoff. The burly all-rounder played a powerful cover-drive but was superbly caught by Stephen Peters at backward point for 7 to leave the visitors on 30-2 in the tenth over.

Graham Napier replaced Ronnie Irani in the attack but after he had completed his over with rain already falling, the players left the field moments before the storm washed out proceedings.

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