Leeds: Marcus Harris and Usman Khawaja both fell cheaply before Australia reached 54-2 at tea on Thursday’s rain-marred opening day of the third Ashes Test against England at Headingley.
Only 18 overs in an original day’s allocation of 90 had been bowled when bad light forced an early tea, with David Warner 26 not out – his first double-figure score in five innings this series — and Marnus Labuschagne seven not out.
Rain had previously stopped play at 2.45 pm (1345 GMT) after delaying the scheduled start by more than an hour.
And there was further frustration for both England and a crowd who had waited patiently to watch cricket when, after play resumed, only 3.1 more overs were possible before the umpires suspended play for bad light even though the floodlights were on full blast.
After a grinning Warner and Labuschagne sprinted off the field, umpires Chris Gaffaney and Joel Wilson were booed as they returned to the pavilion.
Wilson was later seen having an animated conversation on the dressing room balcony with several England players and backroom staff.
England, looking to level the five-match series at 1-1, had seen captain Joe Root win the toss in the hope of making the most of overcast, bowler-friendly conditions.
Australia had dropped opener Cameron Bancroft, who had made just 44 runs in four innings, and brought in Harris to partner Warner at the top of the order after England had enjoyed the better of a rain-affected draw in the second Test at Lord’s. (AFP)
