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Ashes 2019 second Test day 1: No play possible as rain ruins England v Australia clash at Lord's

Day one of the second Ashes Test was a complete washout as rain frustrated both camps with its first significant impact on this series.

less than 2 min read
August 15, 2019 - 1:23AM
Tim Paine wishes the rain would stop.
Tim Paine wishes the rain would stop.

The start of the second Ashes Test has been delayed with day one abandoned without a ball bowled, following an anticlimactic opening Wednesday at Lord’s.

The toss was slated for 7.30pm (EST) but the pitch was blanketed with heavy covers for the majority of the day.

There was a brief hope some play could go ahead when the umpires announced a time for the toss mid-afternoon. But five minutes before it was scheduled the rain returned and the players took an early tea. 

Umpires Aleem Dar and Chris Gaffaney convened after tea and called an end to the day's play, with more rain incoming, at 4.20pm local time.

Australia hold a 1-0 lead in the five-Test series, having won by 251 runs at Edgbaston thanks largely to two centuries from Steve Smith.

James Pattinson has been rested from the clash in London but the tourists are yet to confirm whether Josh Hazlewood or Mitchell Starc will claim his place in the XI.

England captain Joe Root is also yet to announce his team, with the hosts weighing up whether to leave left-arm spinner Jack Leach on the sidelines and bank on an all-pace attack.

Originally published as Ashes 2019 second Test day 1: No play possible as rain ruins England v Australia clash at Lord's

Updates

OFFICIAL: Play has been abandoned in day one washout

Joe Barton

It's all over for the day, as drab a day of cricket as you could imagine.

Rain from start to finish – bar an hour-long break in the middle which gave everyone in the ground hope that the second Test could get underway.

Both teams were able to warm up and they got to within four minutes of getting to the toss before the rains came back across Lord's.

Ultimately, it was fruitless however.

The rain hit harder than ever once it resumed and play was abandoned at 4.20pm much to the disappointment of the hardy fans who had hung around.

Joe Barton

We're not far from the end now – the official radio broadcast has gone off air, back to regular programming, and the umpires are out in the middle with their umbrellas.

I think we are moments away from things being called off the day.

Fans can get ready to go home and come back at 11am local time tomorrow for what is expected to be a much sunnier and more action-filled day.

It's still raining...

Martin Gibbes

No word from the officials about play today but it's not looking encouraging. Play can go on late (8pm local time) but reports from the ground are saying its very dark. Might be best just to call it a day and start afresh tomorrow.

Weather forecast is much better.

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Original URL: https://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/cricket/lords-day-one-live-australia-look-to-extend-ashes-series-lead/live-coverage/f7a92fd349c48d4d431a2079e8c02914