Rain ruins England victory hopes

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Only 35 minutes play were possible in the morning session with West Indies, who were chasing a victory target of 401, progressing from seven without loss to reach 42 before the rain halted play for the best part of five hours.

Starting the day in murky conditions, the West Indies began positively and pushed quick singles at every opportunity before opener Chris Gayle felt confident enough to hit a series of boundaries.

Gayle, who suffered a painful blow in the box region from Steve Harmison in the penultimate over last night, took out his frustration by hammering the Durham fast bowler off the back foot for the first boundary of the day in the fifth over.

Fellow Durham seamer Liam Plunkett was not excused the punishment, either, with Gayle pushing a wide delivery through point for another four.

Plunkett was also hit for successive boundaries in his next over with Gayle firstly pushing through mid-on and then hammering over the top for another four.

Gayle quickly progressed to an unbeaten 24 while fellow opener Daren Ganga was more conservative and had reached an unbeaten nine when the rain interrupted, making any more play impossible until 3.30pm.

At least the interruptions allowed new coach Peter Moores to discuss the squad for the next Test, which starts at Headingley on Friday, and the fitness of several key players.

Yorkshire seamer Matthew Hoggard is expected to be ruled out with a thigh problem having pulled up after bowling only 10.1 overs in the first innings.

England are expected to welcome back captain Michael Vaughan following a finger injury but key all-rounder Andrew Flintoff remains a doubt after ankle problems ruled him out of this Lord's opener.