'Typical English summer' sees Derbyshire Falcons suffer another Vitality Blast washout

Ed Barnes is on loan at Derbyshire from Yorkshire. (Photo by Gareth Copley/Getty Images)

Both sides were hoping to have the chance to record their first victory in the North Group but heavy rain forced the umpires to abandon the game shortly before 8pm.

"It's very frustrating, a typical English summer," Barnes said.

"We said during lockdown when it was blue skies and 30 degrees that as soon as it came to August and the season started rain was probably going to play a part and, unfortunately, that's two games abandoned now.

"We knew looking at the radar that it was coming but we just wanted to get out and start playing.

"It's been massively frustrating with two losses and two abandoned but it's a funny thing this competition with games coming thick and fast, a bit of momentum and things can change so quickly.

"That's what we'll be looking for, with Lancashire on Friday and then going into the four dayer a bit of momentum could be massive for us.

"There are six games to go and if you win all of them then you put yourself in with a chance. I think all you can do at this point is just take it game by game and put all your efforts in and see where it gets you."

Showers in the afternoon at Chester-le-Street delayed the start but an 18 overs game was due to get underway at 7.20pm, with Derbyshire Falcons winning the toss and opting to bowl first.

Durham were set to give a debut to the South African all-rounder Farhaan Behardien but the rain returned before the scheduled start and another downpour ended hopes of getting some kind of game in.

Derbyshire would have been without key batsman Wayne Madsen and the club confirmed he damaged ankle ligaments in the defeat to Lancashire on Monday and is being assessed.

This latest abandonment leaves Derbyshire on two points from four games while Durham collect their first point in this season's competition.

Although the game was at the Emirates Riverside, it was a home match for Derbyshire who are playing all their fixtures away because the Incora County Ground at Derby is being used as a bio-secure venue by the ECB.