BIRMINGHAM (England), July 25: Persistent rain washed out the second day of the first Test between England and South Africa on Friday.

Overnight rain continued to fall throughout the morning and into the afternoon at Edgbaston before the umpires called off the day’s play at 1415 GMT.

Forecasts suggested the bad weather had settled in around the venue, which was shrouded by low, heavy cloud, with pools of water collecting on the covers.

South Africa, however, who dominated the opening day of the five-Test series by amassing 398 for one, will still hope to force the pace on Saturday in an attempt to retain their advantage.

If the weather holds, around half the time lost could be reclaimed over the next three days.

England’s cause was helped further when opening batsman Marcus Trescothick said on Friday that he hoped to be able to bat despite fracturing his right index finger.

He tested the finger in a net, adding: “It’s pretty sore.”

Herschelle Gibbs made 179 on Thursday and captain Graeme Smith on 178 not out, the pair putting on 338, the sixth highest opening stand in history.—Reuters