Headingley clash washed out

The first match of the one-day series between England and Australia was abandoned without a ball being bowled as the rainfall in Leeds refused to relent. After several inspections by the umpires, usually accompanied by umbrellas, the game was called of shortly after 1.30pm, more than three hours after the scheduled start time. The poor weather had been forecast and puddles were already forming on the outfield by the time the toss was due to be held. The teams had to be on the field by 3.22pm for a 20-over contest but prospects were looking bleak long before then. The second ODI will take place at Old Trafford on Sunday. England were due to field an experimental side, after resting five regular members of the ODI squad. After a disappointing Champions Trophy and defeat in the Ashes, Australia secured their first international win of the tour during the subsequent T20 series and were aiming to beat England in an ODI for the first time in six attempts. This is the second consecutive Headingley ODI that has been rained off, after last year’s West Indies fixture was abandoned, and the third since 2009. Despite a largely dry summer, the first day of the New Zealand Test in May was also washed out.