Aussies survive opening spell

England failed to take a wicket in the opening dozen overs of the delayed third npower Ashes Test at Edgbaston.

New-ball pair James Anderson and Andrew Flintoff created moments of panic for Australia's new-look opening pair but the tourists progressed to 46 without loss.

Australia captain Ricky Ponting won the toss and opted to bat on a first day restricted to 30 overs.

Australia initially made only one change, as anticipated, with opener Phillip Hughes left out and all-rounder Shane Watson drafted in.

But they were forced into a change after the toss took place when it was revealed wicketkeeper Brad Haddin had suffered a suspected broken finger in the warm-up. That handed an international debut to South Australia's Graham Manou, after Australia team manager Steve Bernard sought permission of the England hierarchy to make an alteration to the team sheet lodged with the officials.

When play got under way at 5pm, a light spray from the sodden surface accompanied each stride taken by the England pacemen.

The approaches proved difficult to negotiate but Anderson, on his 27th birthday, thought he had made a breakthrough in the seventh over when Simon Katich, on five, was struck on the pad on the line of off-stump. Umpire Aleem Dar turned down the confident home appeals, however, in the belief perhaps ball had struck bat first.

The quality of the surface was put into context as Watson, Australia's first right-handed opener for eight years, and Katich played their shots.

Watson did enjoy one moment of good fortune when he jabbed down on a Flintoff delivery in the 10th over and sent the ball bouncing over leg-stump.

England left out Steve Harmison from the 12 men remaining in their squad, which meant they made only one change from the win at Lord's, at number four where Ian Bell filled in for the injured Kevin Pietersen.