London – Rain meant there was no play before lunch on the second day of the fifth and final Ashes Test between England and Australia at The Oval on Thursday.
The umpires decided to take lunch 30 minutes early at 12.30pm local time, with the aim of starting play at 1.10pm following the standard 40-minute break.
At stumps on Wednesday's first day, Australia were 307/4 as they sought a consolation victory in a five-match series already won by England at 3-0 up.
Shane Watson's Test-best 176 was the cornerstone of Australia's imposing total. It was only his third Test hundred – his first in 25 matches and 48 innings since his previous best of 126 against India at Mohali in October 2010.
Watson was especially severe on England debutants Chris Woakes, a medium-pacer, and left-arm spinner Simon Kerrigan who ended the day with expensive combined figures of none for 105 in 23 overs.
Steven Smith was 66 not out overnight having helped Watson add 145 for the fourth wicket before the all-rounder was well caught at deep backward square leg by Kevin Pietersen after hooking a Stuart Broad bouncer.
Nightwatchman Peter Siddle was unbeaten on 18.
England have never won four Tests in a home Ashes series, while it is 36 years since Australia last went through an Ashes without winning a single Test. – Sapa-AFP