The rain won at first at Lords today, with the rain flowing heavily from 8.45 am. The fans eagerly waited and finally their loyalty was rewarded when the rain stopped at 2.45. Play began at 3.45 pm. And after just a few balls, Jones perished from a poor shot which Gillespie easily held. Giles was then dismissed, narrowly avoiding a golden duck. He edged a low ball to Matthew Hayden. The rain returned again, to the delight of the England crowd who realised that rain was now England's only hope of avoiding defeat in this test. But unfortunately it was only a short stoppage, but Hoggard provided his usual stiff resistance, lasting 15 balls but then was trapped lbw beautifully by McGrath. Harmison endured a golden duck, succumbing to the leg-spin of Warne, who was still turning the ball miles. McGrath then completed the victory when Simon Jones edged to Warne at second slip. The slectors have a few matters to discuss, before the second ashes test commences next week at Edgbaston. Ian Bell may be replaced, possibly by newly qualified and in-form Middx batsmen Ed Joyce.

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