WORCESTERSHIRE coach Bill Athey believes this season's Benson and Hedges Cup is becoming a lottery because of the wet weather.

He was talking after the County's clash with Gloucestershire, at New Road yesterday, was abandoned after only ten overs had been bowled.

During that time the visitors made 57-1 after being put in to bat.

The County's only success, after the game had started at 1.15pm, was the removal of Tim Hancock for 22 thanks to a brilliant catch at backward point by Vikram Solanki off Alamgir Sheriyar.

For Worcestershire it was their second rain-ruined group match -- their opener at Northamptonshire last Saturday was abandoned without a ball being bowled.

Athey said: "It's frustrating because of the weather and the fact that we didn't start on time. But we had a bad 40 minutes when we didn't play well so maybe the rain came at the right time for us. But we are still unbeaten and we have still got a great chance of qualifying.

"So far, though, it's almost been a lottery.

"And it's difficult for the players in respect of playing one day and having a few off.

"Although we can train we can't actually practice the skills of batting, bowling and fielding."