The third day's play in the third Ashes Test between England and Australia at Edgbaston was abandoned without a ball being bowled because of persistent rain yesterday.

Overnight and early morning rain meant the pitch and square were fully covered when the game, which had already been affected by bad weather, should have been re-starting at 1000 GMT.

Umpires Rudi Koertzen and Aleem Dar held several inspections before a fresh downpour ended what slim chance there had been of play, with deep pools of water lying on the outfield, at 1338 GMT.

England, 1-0 up in the five-match series after their 115-run second Test victory at Lord's, were 116 for two in reply to Australia's first innings 263 - a deficit of 147.