Rain halts England’s charge in opening Test of Ashes series against Australia at Edgbaston

Torrential rain brought a draw into the equation in the first Ashes Test between England and Australia at Edgbaston.

The pace of play over the first two days seemed to take the draw out of the picture, but heavy rain on Sunday afternoon has put things in the balance.

As is their wont under the captaincy of Ben Stokes, England will look to push on with the bat on Monday in order to give themselves enough time to set up a win.

Australia will hope the conditions are favourable for bowling on day four – as was the case in the 30-minute spell before the rain on Sunday – in order to check England’s charge.

Day three got underway with England chasing wickets, and they got them in good time.

James Anderson finally got reward for his probing line and length by removing Alex Carey for 66.

Australia captain Pat Cummins joined Usman Khawaja at the crease and he dominated a partnership of 32 before the latter’s long vigil was brought to an end by Ollie Robinson.

Khawaja’s wicket was as much down to the inventive field of Stokes, who had six catchers in front of the bat and enticed the Australia opener to attempt to pierce the field, only for him to play over the top of a yorker.

Australia’s tail is not as strong as England’s and the seamers mopped them up to leave the home side with a lead of seven after the first innings.

Ben Duckett and Zak Crawley began England’s second innings in good style, with the new ball doing nothing for the Australia quicks – which prompted Cummins to turn to the spin of Nathan Lyon after only five overs.

The players were taken off the field by rain, and when they returned conditions had changed in the favour of the bowlers.

Under grey Birmingham skies and with the floodlights on, the ball began to deviate off straight.

Cummins got Duckett, who fell to a brilliant diving catch low to his left in the gully by Cameron Green.

Crawley looked unhappy to be batting under darkening skies, and his mood was not improved when he feathered a catch behind to Carey off Scott Boland.

Joe Root and Ollie Pope dug in, before a heavy downpour took the players off the field.

A series of inspections took place, but the rain persisted and play was called off for the day with England leading by 35 runs with eight wickets in hand.