Colchester and East Essex are not yet looking to the skies for inspiration, but they are staring at the firmament to see if it will let them play cricket.

A sodden spell of weather has meant matches have been few and far between for the Castle Park side, who are eager to record their first Shepherd Neame Essex League premier division victory of the season.

Tomorrow they travel to Wanstead, hoping to go further in the game than they did in last week's abandoned encounter with Gidea Park and Romford.

Wanstead are renowned for producing exceptional young talent, with Essex fast-bowlers Mervyn Westfield and Maurice Chambers both coming through their ranks.