Collingwood laments weather woe

The match was a washout after only seven deliveries of England's reply, after Cameron White's brisk 55 had helped the tourists post 145 for four. England were labouring at four for two in their brief response, with debutant Joe Denly and the struggling Ravi Bopara falling for nought and one respectively.

"It would have been a good game had it gone the distance," said Collingwood.

"I thought we did some good stuff in the field and restricted them to a very gettable total on that wicket.

"It was hitting the splice a lot when we were in the field and there was a quite a lot of good carry in the wicket, so we would have had to play well to knock the runs off but it was a total we could have got."

That may come as cool comfort to the fans that packed Old Trafford and who were not entitled to a refund because the Australian innings was completed.

Lancashire, who have not hosted a Test this summer, last night said they would consider that situation, but with the forecast for tomorrow's day-night fixture looking wet they may again miss out on a full match.

Regardless of the weather Collingwood admitted his side had been given a warning by Australia's pace battery. Brett Lee and Mitchell Johnson were the men to take the wickets, both bouncing back from Ashes series that were frustrating for different reasons.

Referring to Australians' seam attack - which also boasts the pacy Dirk Nannes - Collingwood said: "That's something we're going to have to overcome, the pace they have in their side. They have three 90mph bowlers and that's something we are going to have to deal with.

"I'm sure (Lee) is frustrated but he's obviously looking fit now and bowling at a good pace, but I think we have the batsman to overcome that."