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Persistent rain ended any hope of a result after just 11.1 overs of play in the One-Day Cup tie between Essex and Gloucestershire at Chelmsford.

The visitors recovered from the early loss of Hamish Marshall for four and were going along nicely at 55-1.

Chris Dent hit 33 from 30 balls and Michael Klinger (17) was playing steadily when play was halted.

A pitch inspection was cancelled as the rain returned and play was finally called off just before 20:00 BST.

Essex assistant coach Chris Silverwood:

"It was lined-up to be a cracking game so it's disappointing that it was washed out in the end, but we can't control the weather.

"We've got Derbyshire and Yorkshire to play next and we are looking forward to those games because we know that if we play to our potential, we can beat anybody."

Gloucestershire captain Michael Klinger:

"Both ourselves and Essex have been in good form in this competition but, once the rain started, the outfield became very wet and the further rain didn't help matters.

"We've beaten some quality teams in this competition so far - Yorkshire and Hampshire - and although we've only got the point from this game, we are certainly in the mix going into the last three games."