Disappointment for Steelbacks as rain wrecks T20 Blast opener

Northants Steelbacks' Vitality T20 Blast campaign got off to a soggy start as their opening clash at Gloucestershire was abandoned without a ball being bowled.
Rain caused the abandonment of the Steelbacks' opening T20 clash at Gloucestershire (Picture courtesy of nccc.co.uk)Rain caused the abandonment of the Steelbacks' opening T20 clash at Gloucestershire (Picture courtesy of nccc.co.uk)
Rain caused the abandonment of the Steelbacks' opening T20 clash at Gloucestershire (Picture courtesy of nccc.co.uk)

When the Steelbacks players turned up at the County Ground, they were greeted by a very wet scene, with rain having fallen heavily throughout the morning.

The Central Group match was scheduled to start at 2pm, and although the rain did ease somewhat, the outfield remained saturated.

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With further rain forecast for later in the afternoon, umpires Ian Blackwell and former Northants batsman Russell Warren ruled out any prospect of play shortly after the scheduled start time.

It meant the points were shared, and the Steelbacks will now be looking for better joy with the weather when they travel to New Road to take on Worcestershire on Saturday (1pm start).

David Ripley's side are then scheduled to play their first home match of the tournament, when they host Somerset Sabres on Sunday (2pm).