In what came as disappointing news from Birmingham, the opening session of Day 5 of the ongoing first Ashes Test between England and Australia at Edgbaston was washed out by relentless rain. The Lunch was advanced to 12:30 pm local time, which meant that fans would be deprived of any action till 1:10 pm local time. In the early hours on June 20 (Tuesday), heavy rains lashed Birmingham and the locals woke up to an extremely cloudy morning. Birmingham continued to receive heavy rains since around 8 AM Local Time.
Weather Forecast
According to AccuWeather, heavy rains are predicted to grip the city until 1 PM Local Time. The weather is expected to clear out in the afternoon. Post lunch, clear skies are expected to greet locals in Birmingham and cricket fans would hope that the rain stays away for the rest of the day.
Edgbaston Test tantalisingly poised
Australia needs 174 more runs and England requires seven more wickets in a gripping Ashes series opener that will be decided on the fifth and final day at Edgbaston. Chasing 281 to win, Australia was 107-3 at stumps on the fourth day Monday, and both sides were feeling good about their chances of winning what has been a tight test.
After losing the wickets of David Warner, Marnus Labuschagne and Steve Smith in a span of eight overs in the last session, Usman Khawaja stood firm to be 34 not out with nightwatchman Scott Boland on a career-best 13 not out. Stuart Broad brought England back into the contest with two of the three wickets and fired up the raucous crowd.
England was all out for 273 in its second innings right on a delayed tea. Joe Root and Harry Brook played a knock of 46 runs each and Ben Stokes contributed 43 runs with the bat. Australia spinner Nathan Lyon took 4/80 and captain Pat Cummins finished with 4/63.
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