Rain saves the day for Northants in Essex encounter
Essex were denied the chance to push for a third win in the Championship this season as the rain only allowed six overs to be bowled on day four.
Northants, after a fourth-straight draw at home this season and sixth stalemate in seven matches, took 11 points.
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Hide AdThe final day began on time under leaden skies and a howling wind with Northants resuming on 56 for four in their second innings, still trailing by 140.
They lost nightwatchman Ben Sanderson in the fifth over of the mornin, giving Ravi Bopara a seventh wicket in the match.
But only one more over was possible before heavy rain arrived and conditions did not improve throughout the afternoon.