Essex progressed to the quarter-finals of the Friends Provident Trophy without having to bowl or face a single ball against Sussex at Hastings.

After overnight rain, the umpires made three inspections before deciding the ground at Horntye Park was unplayable.

But one point was enough to see Essex through with South East group winners Kent, irrespective of the result of Wednesday's game against Middlesex.

Sussex, who play Surrey in their last game, remained bottom of the group.