First day8217;s play washed out

LONDON, June 19: Persistent rain forced Michael Atherton to wait one more day before becoming England's longest-serving Test captain.The fi...

LONDON, June 19: Persistent rain forced Michael Atherton to wait one more day before becoming England8217;s longest-serving Test captain.

The first day8217;s play in the second Ashes Test was called off without a ball bowled today when umpires David Shepherd and Srinivas Venkataraghavan made their third and final inspection before announcing the inevitable decision.Until Australian captain Mark Taylor and Atherton start the match officially with the toss, the England skipper will remain level with Peter May8217;s record of 41 Tests at the helm.

The first day of the Lord8217;s Test is always a sell-out, but by the late afternoon fans began leaving the ground. The only entertainment for the die-hard supporters was on the giant Lord8217;s television screen which showed highlights of classic Ashes encounters, including England8217;s emphatic nine-wicket first-Test win at Edgbaston two weeks ago.

Earlier, the spectators were treated to the unfamiliar sight of Australian rules football in the washed out morning session.

The Australian players took a look at the conditions early on before some of the team embarked on an impromptu game of Australian rules football on the outfield.

According to chief executive Tim Lamb, the England and Wales Cricket Board will refund 600,000 pounds to the disappointed fans.

The first four days of the much-awaited Test are sold out, attracting a revenue of 2.65 million pounds making it the most subscribed Test match in the history of the Marylebone Cricket Club, the custodians of Lord8217;s.

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There was some hope of play in the early afternoon when dark clouds made way for bright sunshine and the huge covers protecting the hallowed Lord8217;s turf were pulled off.

8220;We were hopeful two hours ago, but when we came out to inspect it was very dark and rain was in the air, conditions not conducive to starting a Test match,8221; said Shepherd.

The weather forecast was spot on and the Lord8217;s authorities had wisely heeded the warnings of morning rain.

Rarely had such extensive covering been brought in to keep Lord8217;s dry. It took as many as 14 groundstaff to roll away the dozen or so green sheets from the outfield and pitch surrounds.

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It is the first time a full day8217;s play has been lost at Lord8217;s since the Sunday8217;s play was lost in 1991 against the West Indies. The last time play was lost for an entire day in a Test between Australia and England at Lord8217;s was in 1964.

It leaves just four days of play, but that was all England needed at Edgbaston to take its 1-0 lead in the six-match series.

THE TEAMS

England from: Mike Atherton capt, Mark Butcher, Alec Stewart wk, Nasser Hussain, Graham Thorpe, John Crawley, Mark Ealham, Robert Croft, Darren Gough, Andy Caddick, Devon Malcolm, Phil TufnellAustralia: Mark Taylor capt, Matthew Elliott, Greg Blewett, Mark Waugh, Steve Waugh, Michael Bevan, Ian Healy wk, Shane Warne, Paul Reiffel, Michael Kasprowicz, Glenn McGrath

Umpires: David Shepherd and Srinivas Venkataraghavan