GLOUCESTERSHIRE’S Friends Provident t20 game against Essex at Bristol has been rained off.

Umpires called the game off at 7pm, with persistent rain making any play impossible.

The Gladiators remain one place off the bottom of the South group, two points behind Essex after both sides took one point apiece.

Gloucestershire start a County Championship game against Surrey at The Oval on Sunday, before continuing their t20 campaign away to defending champions Hampshire next Friday.