washed away at Kensingtion Cricket club when a heavy shower forced yesterday's match to be abandoned.

Opening batsmen Allen Richardson and Albert Steede were off to a promising start with 33 runs from 8.4 overs when the skies opened. Both were on 11 in a match that was reduced to 47 overs per side because of a late start.

However, with the host club having no covers to protect the grassy wicket, the umpires deemed the situation not worth salvaging two hours after the 11.05 a.m. stoppage.

While Richardson and Steede -- just off a century in Monday's win over Melbourne CC -- made a positive start, they were taken to task by the Kensington opening attack of Robert Turner and Desroy Hewitt.

This was easily the quickest wicket of the tour thus far and Hewitt, in particular, got a few to fly with Steede twice conjuring one-hand hook shots to avoid being hit.

Richardson was not as fortunate. He took a few nasty blows from both bowlers and at the end of the day was nursing a badly bruised finger on his right hand.

Turner was not as quick as Hewitt. However, he was very wild, as his 4.4 overs went for 22 runs, which included six no-balls and three wides.

The Bermuda squad took the opportunity, after the match was called at 1.10 p.m., to get in some fielding practice for 75 minutes.

They are due to witness the Geddes Grant one-day match between Jamaica and Guyana at Sabina Park today.

Lucas Cricket Club will host Bermuda for their final match tomorrow and it is expected that Jamaica National team players, opening bat Delroy Morgan (captain), wicket-keeper Brian Gayle and leg-spinner Brian Murphy, will see action.

The only Jamaica player in the Kensington team yesterday was captain Richard Staple, who batted at number three in both games against Bermuda last week.

CAPTAIN SIDELINED -- Richie Richardson, left, shown here during a match against Australia, will be out for at least a month because of medical problems.