Hampshire dropped Tino Best for disciplinary reasons before their chances of qualifying for an eighth T20 quarter-final in as many years were effectively ended by a second successive Ageas Bowl abandonment.

Former West Indies star Best was dropped as part of what Hampshire described as "an internal disciplinary measure", having been reported by umpires Neil Bainton and Martin Saggers for deliberately throwing the ball at Essex batsman Ashar Zaidi during last night's T20 defeat at Chelmsford.

Director of cricket Giles White said: “We are looking into the situation. He was left out of this game but he is in contention for the next one [the Championship match against Somerset, which starts at The Ageas Bowl tomorrow].”

Best was replaced by Brad Wheal, who would have made his T20 debut, but rain prevented a ball being bowled against Gloucestershire this afternoon after James Vince won the toss.

Five successive defeats and two abandonments from Hampshire's last seven fixtures have effectively ended any chance of reaching the last eight, with five group games still remaining.