Bad weather sees Knockout Trophy game at Dorset abandoned

Heavy rain saw Staffordshire's NCCA Knockout Trophy game against Dorset at Bashley abandoned.

Staffordshire had a wasted journey down south after their NCCA Knockout Trophy game against Dorset was abandoned without a ball being bowled.

While North Staffordshire was bathed in sunshine, it was a different scenario at Bashley, where the recent warm weather gave way to heavy rain.

That saw pools of water form on the outfield and left the umpires with little choice but to abandon the Group Four encounter just after 3pm.

The inevitable decision was frustrating for Staffordshire – and not just because of the round trip they had to make which totalled in excess of 400 miles.

Staffs had been keen to bounce back from last weekend’s seven-wicket defeat by Wiltshire.

Both Dorset and Staffordshire picked up a point apiece from the abandonment.

That leaves Staffordshire now needing to win next Sunday’s final group game against Buckinghamshire at Moddershall & Oulton to stand any chance of qualifying for the quarter-finals.

They will then need other results to go in their favour in order to progress to the last eight of the NCCA 50-over competition.

Picture: Bashley was left underwater following torrential rain. Image: Andy Carr