Hampshire and Surrey’s already unlikely hopes of progressing to the Vitality Blast knockout stage took a further blow as their clash at the Utilita Bowl was abandoned without a ball bowled.

The weather had stayed dry until 2pm, but once the forecasted rain appeared it made any hope of play improbable.

And at 6.30pm, umpires Ian Gould and Russell Warren decided to call off the game with the out-field drenched, the full covers glistering and no sign of the weather improving.

It was Surrey's first washed out game of the season, and Hampshire second.

Both sides both sit on eight points in the South Group, four points adrift of fourth-placed Gloucestershire – who had their fixture with in-form Somerset rained off at the Cooper Associates County Ground, Taunton.

Surrey had been hopeful of stringing a third victory in a row together on the south coast, having produced a sensational bowling performance to defeat Sussex on Thursday night.

On the other hand, Hampshire were aiming to end a three-game losing streak, after losses to Kent, Somerset and Gloucestershire.

Hampshire and Surrey are back in action on Sunday, when they face each other in the Specsavers County Championship at the Kia Oval.

James Vince’s side will then stay in London to tackle Middlesex in the Blast on Thursday, while Surrey’s next T20 fixture comes next Friday when they play Kent away.