Rain looked set to wash out the first day of the second Ashes test at Lord's on Wednesday, without a ball bowled as of the scheduled lunch break and a grim weather forecast clouding the outlook for action later in the day.
Fans sat in clusters in the sheltered areas of the stands, while a few huddled under umbrellas out in the open.
Ground staff briefly took the covers off the wicket during a dry spell late in the morning, only to roll them straight back on as the drizzle resumed.
An inspection was scheduled for 2pm, with groundstaff rolling back the covers in preparation but puddles still visible in patches around the outfield.
Australia lead the five-match series 1-0 after an emphatic 251-run win at Edgbaston.
