Washout at the Oval checks Australia's progress in fifth Ashes Test
ALASTAIR COOK and England were unable to make inroads into the Australia batting order after rain suspended play on day two at the Oval.
The Aussies resumed on 307-4, however were kept in the pavilion as the inclement weather meant that a single ball couldn't be bowled.
Cook and his team-mates took an early lunch and with more rain forecast for the afternoon, it remains to be seen whether fans will see much action.
England came under fire yesterday for giving debuts to Chris Woakes and Simon Kerrigan, with the left-arm spinner suffering the 'yips' as he got his lines and lengths horribly wrong.
Shane Watson finally delivered with the bat as he smashed a superb 176- his maiden ton against England.
Australia will want to get back on the field soon as they won't want to have to settle a rain-affected draw.
The rain at Old Trafford denied their best chance of claiming a win in the series so far.