Noon start expected on day four

The fourth day of the npower Ashes Test at Edgbaston is due to get under way at midday following further wet weather.

Although the ground was bathed in sunshine, the volume of rain taken overnight meant umpires Rudi Koertzen and Aleem Dar announced an inspection for 11am, the scheduled start time.

It was a similar situation to that on the opening day when the Rea Bank side of the ground was left extremely boggy.

Concern over a particularly muddy area at mid-off at the City End led to the officials asking the groundstaff to fork the turf in a bid to remove the excess water.

They also hoped the extra hour would help the drying process and only seven overs of the scheduled 98 for the day would be lost.

The close of play was put back to 7pm with England to resume on 116 for two, in response to Australia's 263 all out.