THE AUSSIES arrived in England yesterday for the Ashes series with their captain, Mark Taylor, promising to stick to an attacking game plan and making no promises about a totally silent series.

"In modern day cricket, you're always going to have the odd word or incident. Provided it's just the odd word or incident I don't see the problem," Taylor said.

. Heavy rain on Sunday night and continuing broken weather prevented any play in yesterday's Benson & Hedges Cup match between Ireland and Essex, at Downpatrick.

Weather permitting, the match will go ahead today, starting at 11.0 am.