NO PLAY BEFORE TEA IN ENGLAND-INDIA 2ND TEST
London, Aug. 9: Rain meant there was no play before tea on the first day of the second Test between England and India at Lord’s on Thursday.
Early morning overcast skies in north London eventually gave way to gentle but persistent rain which was sufficient to ensure the pitch and square remained fully covered.
The match had been due to start at 11:00am (1000 GMT) but with rain still falling no play was possible in the morning session.
Lunch was brought forward by 30 minutes to 12:30pm in the hope of a prompt resumption come the scheduled second session of play.
But with rain continuing to fall, the players remained off the field.
After the scheduled start of the tea interval at 3:40pm, the umpires held an inspection out in the middle where they held a discussion with head groundsman Mick Hunt, who is overseeing his last Test pitch at the ‘home of cricket’ before he retires at the end of the season following 49 years on the Lord’s staff.
England lead the fivematch series 1-0 after a 31run victory in the first Test at Edgbaston last week.
They will, however, make at least two changes to their side.
England captain Joe Root confirmed on Wednesday that Ollie Pope, a 20-yearold Surrey batsman, would make his Test debut.