Good morning and welcome to day two of Sports Mole's coverage of the third Test between England and the West Indies at Edgbaston.
Andrew Strauss and his players were prevented from taking a step towards securing a series whitewash yesterday when rain stopped any chance of play in Birmingham.
The tourists suffered a scare last night with a statement confirming that Shivnarine Chanderpaul travelled to hospital for a scan on a side injury and we are still awaiting word on the fitness of the 37-year-old.
It looks unlikely that play will start at 11am after more heavy showers overnight at the ground.
14:00We're going to call it a day after that announcement. Join us again tomorrow, when we will hopefully enjoy some cricket. Goodbye.
13:56The forecast does seem to look more encouraging this weekend so fingers crossed we will see a ball bowled tomorrow.
13:52So, for the first time in 48 years the first two days of a Test match is wiped out due to rain in England.
13:51An announcement was promised shortly and sadly it has come with the umpires confirming that play has been abandoned for the day.
13:49The umpires have briefly been out on the field so expect an announcement from them soon.
13:46Jimmy Anderson on Twitter: "Surprisingly had no offers to play club cricket as a batter this wkend. I thought my 6 runs in 4 inns this season would have people talking."
13:43A Wilma Flintstone costume worn by a man with full facial hair is surely the best outfit today.
13:41Supporters have dressed as penguins, the Flintstones and superheroes today but have sadly not been rewarded with any cricket so far.
13:38As I mentioned earlier, the ground staff have reportedly said that two hours of dry weather will be needed for the ground to be playable.
13:36Still awaiting further announcements from Edgbaston but I'm afraid it's not looking promising.
13:30Everybody who is watching Sky Sports holding out for some live cricket will probably have just gasped seeing that clip of Michael Vaughan being hit in a very sensitive area.
13:28If one or both bowlers are playing, then they are missing a great chance to impress so far through no fault of their own.
13:27Steven Finn and Graham Onions are probably suffering most from this rain delay.
13:25I'm sure Andy Flower does not want to appear to be taking Test matches too easily.
13:22Back to the present day and the Anderson controversy. Do you think more players should have been rested for this Test? Should England be protecting more of their players? Once again, you can send us your views on Twitter to @sports_mole
13:15In an innings only worth 33, his superb technique is obvious. To go back to Liam Apicella's opinion from his commentary on Sports Mole yesterday, the West Indies really do need a player like him in the current side.
13:10Highlights of Brian Lara's innings in 2004 make you appreciate his quality. Class is clear even in the middle of a batting collapse.
13:09The umpires confirmed that there would be no play at around 2:30pm yesterday. We should find out more in the next hour.
13:05No movement at Edgbaston, the rain is still coming down.
13:03No question that if Johnson does get it right he can be devastating.
12:59Mitchell Johnson is scheduled to be a part of that series. I'm sure England fans can't wait to serenade him with their songs from the last Ashes series.
12:55Trying to stay optimistic, let's not forget that Australia will be visiting the country for a one-day series this summer. Providing that a disagreement does not continue.
12:50Those of you that have stuck around, the umpires have confirmed that an early lunch has been taken.
12:45If the rain delay is getting too much for you, my colleague Joe Fish will be talking us through the day's events at the French Open here.:
12:42Wonder what Flintoff would do to fill his time with a rain delay like we're experiencing today. Any places for a good pedalo trip near Edgbaston?
12:41Flintoff would surely be the player who most people would include in the current team.
12:40Higlights of 2004 Test continuing on Sky Sports, how many of that England squad would get in the current side?
12:37A little fact for you - the last time the first two days of a Test match were wiped out because of rain in England was in 1964 against Australia.
12:34Don't seem to be many spaces up for grabs in England's Test team at the moment. Bairstow could be the only one at threat ahead of the South Africa series.
12:31The move to Middlesex from Kent may help Denly. Not much luck in his few appearances for England in one-day games but does seem to have a lot of ability.
12:30Joe Denly has scored a ton for Middlesex against Somerset at Lord's. Would be interesting to see if he still has England aspirations.
12:27If play is wiped out today, it would be nice to see some attacking cricket over the weekend. Should either team try to force an unlikely result we could be in for a treat.
12:23The forecast for tomorrow does look more promising, with no rain being predicted at the moment.
12:21Reports claim that the ground staff did not leave Edgbaston overnight. Double pay surely?
12:15Full covers on at Edgbaston, ground staff are trying to soak up the rain on the outfield but looks like they may be facing a losing battle.
12:12Usually a good rivalry with Pietersen playing against the country of his birth, especially with Graeme Smith.
12:10Pietersen still at the ground doing a signing session for fans. He will surely be eagerly anticipating the series against South Africa.
12:02Persistent rain is the word from Edgbaston. Chances of play today seem to be slowly vanishing.
12:00Whether you agree with the decision to rest Anderson or not, he will surely be the key figure against South Africa. The battle with Dale Steyn should be fascinating.
11:57After being given a rest with an eye on the series against South Africa. How much of a role does Anderson play in the one-day series?
11:56Youth may be the choice for Alastair Cook's team. Taylor and Bopara will probably be there and Jos Butler will surely be pushing for a place too.
11:55Looking ahead to the one-day series again, it should be interesting to see what side England will name.
11:51Weather update - still pretty miserable at Edgbaston. Every chance of this turning into a three-day game.
11:46Strauss, Pietersen and Bell the only players left from that Ashes series in the current side.
11:40He would have taken many more wickets had it not been for injury. Superb in the 2005 Ashes.
11:39Sky Sports treating us to action between the two sides in 2004. Simon Jones in the side - what an unlucky player he has been.
11:36Knight on Pietersen's decision to retire from one-day cricket: "England's 50-over side will be slightly better for having Kevin Pietersen out, because it has not been his bag."
11:35The bad blood refers to Pietersen questioning Knight's position on Sky Sports.
11:34Interesting quotes from Nick Knight about Pietersen from earlier today. Bad blood remaining between these two?
11:26The trouble with the Anderson omission doesn't seem to want to go away. Tweet us your thoughts to @sports_mole.
11:25The controversy over Jimmy Anderson's rest hardly seems worth it at the moment. Doubt the rest of the squad are feeling too stressed at the hotel today.
11:22Edwards can be very threatening on his day and it would be nice to see him deliver that over an extended period of time. Especially in tandem with Kemar Roach.
11:21Managed to speak to former West Indies bowler Corey Collymore earlier this season at Lord's and he believes that we have yet to see the best from Fidel Edwards.
11:16I'm not trying to predict Narine's downfall but he may have to find some more variations than Mendis to make it at Test level.
11:15Narine being called a mystery spinner - sounds very similar to Ajantha Mendis who now struggles to be included in Sri Lanka's side.
11:13Extraordinary figures being discussed on Sky Sports regarding West Indian spinner Sunil Narine. He has a bowling average of under 20 in all forms of cricket.
11:12Matt Prior on Twitter: "Sooooooooooooo bored!" Think he may have to suffer for a bit longer.
11:09Bopara will want a key role in the 50-over game too after Pietersen's retirement. James Taylor will surely be another candidate for that role.
11:08The domestic game has certainly been hit by this bad weather too. Ravi Bopara has scored runs for Essex though - will be targeting Jonny Bairstow's spot.
11:05Ravi Rampaul impressed in the last game but consistency seems to be the biggest problem with the West Indies bowlers.
11:04Marlon Samuels may be the biggest surprise of the series so far. He finally looks to be maturing and showing his undoubted potential.
10:58I think the ground where the bowlers will approach the wicket will be the problem today. Those covers have not been moved yet.
10:55We're seeing highlights of Darren Sammy's ton at Trent Bridge on Sky Sports. Entertaining innings but does he do that enough?
10:52Pietersen at the ground now. Would be surprised to see him greeted by many fans. Nice touch from him though.
10:50Rumours circulating this morning that Graham Onions may be in the team for this Test. Could that mean Stuart Broad will get a rest with Jimmy Anderson?
10:45Kevin Pietersen on Twitter: "Can't sit in room any longer.. I'm coming to the ground to organise a signing session for all the spectators that have come in today!!"
10:43We will be treated to Gayle later on this summer though in the one-day series.
10:41The Sky Sports panel are discussing Chris Gayle. How much of a difference could he have made to the West Indies this series?
10:39No players at the ground at the moment apparently and very few fans either.
10:36The news is that there must be two hours of no rain before play can start today.
10:32Bad news to start the day - the covers have been on and off all morning but the square seems to be very wet.
Written by
Callum Mulvihill
Callum Mulvihill
