Atherton holds on for England

Trescothick, who never looked particularly happy, also played and missed several times before succumbing.

While one England opener struggled, however, his partner, Mike Atherton, looked generally secure until being given a life, on 21, just before tea.

Atherton, attempting to flick Shane Warne through mid-wicket, offered Matthew Hayden a half chance at short leg, only for the ball to fall to safety. Undeterred, Atherton survived until the rain returned just before tea, having guided England to 55 for one with Mark Butcher's support.

Atherton's return as captain had failed to change England's luck this morning.

They lost the toss for the 13th time in 14 Ashes Tests - and the ninth time in a row in eight months against assorted opposition - to hand Australia's bowlers an apparently big advantage.

Steve Waugh has so much faith in his attack that he would probably have unleashed Glenn McGrath and Co in bright sunshine.

As it was, McGrath and Gillespie launched the Second Test, 90 minutes late and under still-leaden skies, with every expectation of making the new ball dart around because of moisture in the air and on the ground.

England, desperate to hit back after losing the first match of the series at Edgbaston by an innings and 118 runs, knew they faced a tough time as soon as Waugh called correctly.

But Atherton and Trescothick just about took the first battle, brief though it was, before worsening light, followed swiftly by another shower, brought an early lunch with the home side 11 for nought from 3.2 overs.

Play did not start until 12.30pm because of morning drizzle, although why a Lord's full house was kept waiting in the sunshine for a further 30 minutes after the toss is one of those mysteries that leaves cricket supporters shaking their heads.

By the time McGrath charged in to deliver the first ball, dark clouds had returned and it was only a matter of time before play was suspended.

McGrath's sixth delivery invited Atherton to hook - and England's stand-in skipper, returning to the helm after spending three happy years in the ranks, accepted the challenge to collect a comforting boundary.

Atherton then produced two or three equally crisp drives during the afternoon period. But neither he nor the game could get going properly because of the miserable weather.