PERSISTENT and unexpected rain caused Gloucestershire’s Vitality Blast match with Hampshire at Bristol to be abandoned on Sunday.

The forecast suggested a grey but dry afternoon, only for steady rain to move in and remain over Nevil Road.

The umpires finally ended any chance of play at 4.20pm with both sides taking a point each.

Gloucestershire welcome Kent to Bristol on Tuesday while Hampshire travel to Taunton on Friday.

Hampshire sit seventh in the nine-team South Group, with just one win from their six matches so far.

Hants also saw Friday's contest at Surrey rained off, abandoned before the game had even been due to start at the Oval.