Cricket:Wet weather delayed the start of the third npower Ashes Test between England and Australia at Edgbaston.
Despite sunshine bathing the ground as the players practised, the torrential rain of yesterday took its effect.
Umpires Rudi Koertzen and Aleem Dar were not happy with the state of the outfield and opted to inspect at 11am.
However, the prospect of that happening receded rapidly when another downpour arrived shortly after 10.30am.
Groundstaff worked through the night, aided by five super-sopper machines, in a mass mop-up operation.
Despite their efforts around the clock, one of the practice strips off the square was left like a quagmire and the Rea Bank stand side of the ground was extremely boggy.
Meanwhile, the out-of-form Australia opener Phillip Hughes has been dropped by the tourists.
Despite having piled up the runs in England during a spell in county cricket with Middlesex at the start of the season, Hughes has struggled during the Ashes series to date.
He made 36 during the drawn first Test in Cardiff before making just four and 17 in the defeat at Lord's.
He had looked to have saved his place in the side with a score of 68 during the weekend's warm-up match against Northamptonshire. However, Hughes has now revealed he will not be playing at Edgbaston.
He posted on his Twitter feed this morning: "(I'm) disappointed not to be on the field with the lads today, will be supporting the guys. It's a big Test match for us."
Shane Watson, who made 84 and 50 during that clash at Northampton, is expected to come into the side.
Andrew Flintoff is expected to be fit to take his place in the England side. The hosts' big decision is whether to stick with Graham Onions or bring in Steve Harmison.