That mini session in between the rain delays. In the space of 28 deliveries sent down before those brooding black clouds dumped their payload, Australia pace pair Pat Cummins and Scott Boland sent back both openers and had first-innings century maker Joe Root in such discomfort he fairly bolted for the sheds at the first hint of rain. Having banked a notional seven-run first-innings lead by bouncing out Australia's tailenders in the first session, England again slipped into sports-drive mode as openers Zak Crawley and Ben Duckett rattled on 26 without loss from almost seven overs before the first rain burst hit.īut when play resumed after an hour-and-15-minute hiatus, an entirely different complexion came over the Ashes opener and it was not only because of the apocalyptic storm clouds that loomed towards Edgbaston from the south. Australia seize on break in rain to make important inroadsĪ 20-minute burst between heavy summer showers dramatically recast the first Test narrative as England's top-order wobbled in the face of some spirited Australia bowling on a rain-ruined day three.ĭespite the best efforts of Edgbaston ground staff, play was called off at 6:00pm with almost 50 overs lost following a torrential downpour two hours earlier, with England 2-28 and 35 runs ahead after Usman Khawaja's epic 141 had all-but erased the first-innings differential.Įngland resume on day four with unbeaten pair Ollie Pope and Joe Root both yet to score.
