Forecast rain arrived at Lord's this morning to further frustrate England in their pursuit of a first Test victory over Bangladesh. The rain began to fall an hour before the scheduled start of play at 11am (2pm UAE) and is expected to continue until around mid-afternoon. Umpires Asoka De Silva and Billy Bowden decided to delay any inspection until the wet weather relented, meaning there was little prospect of any play before lunch. England were hoping to get back on the field as soon as possible, having come up against some unheralded resistance from the tourists' batsmen on day two yesterday.
Bangladesh had replied to England's 505 all out with 172 for two overnight, and England's prospects of pushing for the anticipated landslide win therefore took a significant knock. Although light rain was still falling and the full covers remained in place, it was announced the umpires would inspect during an early lunch ? to be taken at 12.30pm ? with a view to starting at 1.10pm. By the end of the lunch break, the rain was heavier and more persistent. The forecast remained for a drier spell from mid-afternoon, though. * PA
