GROUNDSMEN at a cancelled Hampshire cricket match have been criticised by fans for leaving the parts of the square uncovered before an "astonishing" hail shower.

Hampshire's NatWest T20 Blast match against Sussex at the Ageas Bowl was abandoned without a ball being bowled last night.

Umpires Steve Garratt and Tim Robinson made the decision 45 minutes before play was due to start as puddles made part of the square and run ups unplayable.

Hampshire coach Giles White defended the ground staff, saying the "astonishingly heavy" shower was not anticipated.

The covers were drawn during the downpours but water got underneath, leaving the square sodden.

An army of supporters and more than 30 schools had travelled to watch the match.

Disappointed fans said the venue should have been more cautious following rain forecasts through the day.

James Brockway, 46, was on a stag do with teammates from Milburys cricket club and friends who had travelled from around the county.

"We're pretty miffed," he said. "We don't understand why they haven't put the cover at least on the square.

"It looks like a big storm's come in and it's absolutely drenched – literally, it was a river coming down the road – but surely you should have the covers on."

West End Brewery and the Southampton Arms were packed to the rafters with disappointed fans.

Each side gets a point with Hampshire staying bottom of the south group while Sussex remain in the race to qualify for the quarter-finals.

Coach Giles White said: "I haven't seen a shower like that here in my time and unfortunately it's written the game off.

"The ground staff are excellent here – they do a fantastic job and there was nothing on the radar, no one saw it coming."

"They did their very best under extreme conditions and unfortunately it wasn't enough."

Sussex captain Luke Wright said the groundsman was caught by surprise and was unable to pull the main covers over because they were weighed down by hail.

He added: "You have to suck it up – but unfortunately it feels a bit unjust."