5:35 PM IST & 1:05 PM Local Time: The inspection is now complete, but the umpires have spotted a few damp patches in the outfield. The good news is that there has been no rain for more than an hour. Another inspection is scheduled for 6:15 PM IST (1:45 PM Local Time), provided there is no further rain. A big sheet had been placed near the boundary ropes, and the ground staff are now peeling it away. Stay tuned for further updates.
5:30 PM IST & 1 PM Local Time: The two on field umpires have made their way out to the middle for the scheduled inspection. However, the 22 yards remains firmly under covers along with the square, so the umpires are currently assessing the outfield.
5:05 PM IST & 12:35 PM Local Time: Ah, scratch the previous update! As expected, early Lunch has been taken. A pitch inspection is scheduled for 5:30 PM IST(1 PM Local Time), after which we should have a clearer picture of when play can resume, given there is no further rain till then.
5 PM IST & 12:30 PM Local Time: The Super Sopper is hard at work, clearing the excess water from the covers as well as from the outfield. In all likelihood, the entire morning session is set to be washed out. It looks like the Lunch break will be taken at its scheduled time of 5:30 PM IST (1 PM Local Time), with the weather forecast suggesting clearer conditions after 6:30 PM IST (2 PM Local Time). The good news is that we can extend play until 12 AM IST (7:30 PM Local Time), just as we did yesterday, so hopefully we can make up for some of the lost time once the weather clears.
4:30 PM IST & 12 PM Local Time: Nothing has changed at Headingley at the moment, with the covers still firmly in place. The ground staff continue to work hard. We could once again be heading towards an early Lunch, just as we did yesterday.
4 PM IST, 11:30 AM Local Time: The groundsmen are making their way out to the middle to restart the mopping up work. The rain has stopped for now. Let's hope it stays the same.
3:35 PM IST, 11:05 AM Local Time: The rain is back. And it's getting heavier. The groundsmen return to their sheds.
3:30 PM IST, 11 AM Local Time: The groundsmen have started removing the excess water present on the covers. It's not raining but it still looks quite gloomy. The groundsmen are expecting another shower soon. The radar suggests that showers could continue until around 6:30 PM IST (2 PM Local Time). For now, the start of Day 2 has been delayed.
3:06 PM IST & 10:36 AM Local Time: While we look set for a lengthy delay courtesy of the unpredictable English weather, here are a couple of injury updates from the ECB. Sam Curran will miss the remainder of England’s home summer after being ruled out with a groin injury, with surgery scheduled for tomorrow.
Will Jacks, meanwhile, is recovering after undergoing a successful operation to remove his appendix. The ECB will continue to monitor his recovery before assessing his availability for the upcoming series against Sri Lanka.