2 Aug 2009

Rain washes out any play at Edgbaston

4:17 pm on 2 August 2009

The Australian cricketers prospects of fighting back in the third Ashes Test have been thwarted by the elements after rain washed out day three at Edgbaston.

The constant rain forced play to be called off midway through the day without a ball being bowled and there are fears the waterlogged outfield could create further delays tonight.

There have been just under four of the nine scheduled sessions completed on the opening three days.

In reply to Australia's 263, England remained at 116 for 2 with Andrew Strauss (64no) and Ian Bell (26no) unbeaten.

Trailing 1-nil in the five-match series, the pressure is on Australia to make the running and England coach Andy Flower expected there could be some life in the track when play does resume.

Rain has fallen in the Birmingham area in 15 of the past 18 days.