First day of deciding Test succumbs to rain

Ben Stokes won a delayed toss in the morning and opted to bowl, but that was the extent of on-field activity on a frustrating, wet afternoon in south London

The first day of the third Test between England and South Africa was abandoned due to rain without a ball being bowled.

Ben Stokes won a delayed toss in the morning and opted to bowl, while Harry Brook was presented with his debut cap. South Africa made four changes, with Ryan Rickelton, Wiaan Mulder, Marco Jansen and Khaya Zondo all coming in.

But that was the extent of on-field activity on a frustrating, wet afternoon in south London.

Play was initially rescheduled to begin at 11.30am after heavy rain overnight, but the weather returned between the toss and the start-time, followed by an early lunch at 12.30pm, which resulted in a planned inspection for 2.30pm.

That became a 3.10pm inspection, with another pinpointed for 4pm, but further rain put pay to that, which ultimately led to the decision – shortly before 5pm – to call off any lasting hopes of a day-one start.

^{England will bowl first when play eventually begins (Gareth Copley/Getty Images)}

The washout means that when the match belatedly gets underway, the follow-on target will drop from 200 to 150 – in line with four-day games – with the tourists batting first.

They have dropped Aiden Markram, while Simon Harmer's omission was tactical. Rassie van der Dussen misses out with a broken finger and Lungi Ngidi's absence is precautionary.

The series is level at one victory apiece, going into the final Test of the English summer.

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