Weather wins the day at County Ground as England Women's clash is abandoned
A miserable day in Northampton ensured that no play was possible in the One Day International between England Women and New Zealand at the County Ground.
The match was eventually abandoned without a ball being bowled at 4.45pm, with heavy rain and hailstone showers winning the day.
The match was due to start at 1pm, but a burst of heavy rain delayed the toss until 3.30pm.
After the flip of the coin, New Zealand skipper Melie Kerr chose to bowl first, but shortly before play was due to start at 4pm, another downpour meant the covers were quickly back in place.
Further bursts of rain and hail led to the umpires holding a further inspection, but with conditions unplayable and a poor forecast, they called the match off.
The abandonment was a bitter pill for the supporters who had turned out to watch an England side that would have included the likes of Heather Knight, Lauren Bell, Sophie Ecclestone, Maiai Bouchier and new teenage sensation Tilly Corteen-Coleman.
England, who won the opening encounter in Durham on Sunday by one wicket, had been hoping to wrap up the three-match series at Wantage Road.
They will now have to wait until Saturday to get the chance to do that, with the two sides set to meet at Sophia Gardens in Cardiff.