LONDON, May 17: Rain continued to frustrate England’s attempt to build a first innings lead in the first Test against New Zealand at Lord’s here on Saturday.

Only 8.5 overs were possible in the morning and with dark clouds looming and sporadic showers keeping the outfield damp the players remained in the pavilion after an early lunch was taken.

An inspection had been due at 3.20pm but a further heavy shower saw the covers put back on. When play had been possible in the morning, England took their overnight score to 89 without loss with Alastair Cook unbeaten on 53 and Andrew Strauss not out 31.

Cook and Strauss made serene progress in the 8.5 overs that were possible after rain and bad light delayed the start by 25 minutes.

Cook, 43 not out overnight, brought up his 10th Test fifty with a crisp punch off the back foot off Kyle Mills.

The 23-year-old enjoys batting at Lord’s having scored two of his previous seven Test centuries at the home of cricket.

Strauss also looked in good touch, moving his feet with purpose as he looked to back up his 177 at Napier in the last Test of the winter tour of New Zealand with another big score.The Middlesex batsman looked comfortable with his move back to the top of the order, where he started his England career in 2004 at the same ground, following Michael Vaughan’s decision to revert to number three.

He played the shot of the morning off Kiwi paceman Chris Martin when he rocked back on his heels to a short pitched delivery outside off stump and deftly flicked the ball over the slips for four.

But the weather continued to frustrate the crowd and the players by intervening yet again shortly afterwards.

Scoreboard

NEW ZEALAND 1st Innings 277 (B McCullum 97; R Sidebottom 4-55, J Anderson 3-66).

ENGLAND 1st Innings (overnight 68-0)

A. Strauss not out 31

A. Cook not out 53

EXTRAS (NB-5) 5

TOTAL (for no wkt, 30.2 overs) 89

TO BAT: M Vaughan, K Pietersen, I Bell, P Collingwood, T Ambrose, S Broad, R Sidebottom, M Panesar, J Anderson.

BOWLING: Martin 13-2-36-0 (2nb); Mills 9.2-1-19-0 (3nb); Southee 3-0-19-0; Oram 5-0-15-0.

UMPIRES: Simon Taufel (Australia) and Steve Bucknor (West Indies).

TV UMPIRE: Nigel Llong (England).

MATCH REFEREE: Ranjan Madugalle (Sri Lanka).—AFP