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Rain forces Somerset-Notts Blast quarter-final into reserve day

Rain forced the game into a reserve day Getty Images

The Vitality Blast quarter-final between Somerset and Nottinghamshire will be played on Monday after heavy rain resulted in a washout at Taunton.

The forecast had been poor for Sunday's fixture and the rain rarely relented before the umpires, Neil Mallender and Steve O'Shaughnessy, called off any attempts to get in a shortened match after their 4pm inspection. The game will instead start at 1pm on Monday, which is a Bank Holiday, with better weather likely to allow a full 20 overs.

Patches of standing water were visible on the outfield as Sunday's 3pm start time came around, and few supporters had made the journey, despite Somerset expecting a sellout crowd of 7500.

Tickets will still be valid for the rescheduled game, with the club saying it would not be possible to issue refunds if play does go ahead on Monday. Sky Sports will not televise the match, because of a clash with Kia Super League Finals Day, but it will be streamed on the Somerset website.

"Should the match have to take place on the reserve day then we are afraid that we would not be in a position to refund match tickets because the match will have taken place," Somerset said in a statement on their website earlier in the day.

"It would also be extremely difficult from a logistical point of view to refund the tickets and re-sell them in such a short space of time.

"We understand that the match being played on the reserve day may make attending the fixture rather more difficult for some people and this is unfortunate for all concerned. However, cricket supporters are well aware of the major match protocol and the need for a reserve day within that procedure."

In the event that play is not possible on Monday, then the tie will be decided by a bowl out between the sides indoors.