England keep Australia in check on rain-marred day

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Despite rain in the air, Australia won the toss and elected to bat first. Out walked openers David Warner and Marcus Harris and they had to see through a disciplined effort from the English bowlers and also rain interruptions. They kept up their focus though, as Australia headed to lunch in a curtailed session at 30/0.

After walking back out, Warner got into the flow of things playing a couple of glorious strokes. Just as he was settled on the crease, the ploy of bowling round the wicket against him from Stuart Broad worked again. A full ball outside the off tempted a drive from Warner and Zak Crawley gratefully accepted the catch at second slip.

Rain would soon play spoilsport again as the teams headed back to the pavilion with Australia's score at 56/1. This brought about an early end to the session and the start of the final session would be delayed too.

In the final session, Harris joined by Marnus Labuschagne got Australia's total past 100. But Jimmy Anderson would strike with some inspired piece of bowling. With the ball pitching on middle and leaving with the angle, it would induce an edge off Harris' bat with the opener being dismissed for 38.

Wood would then get Labuschagne with some brilliant piece of bowling, again getting the edge as the batter walked back for 28. Australia now found themselves three down with Steve Smith and the returning Usman Khawaja needing to negotiate through a tricky period.

And they would do just that, while also moving the score along before rain interrupted again to bring an early close of play. Australia will resume on day two with the score at 126/3.