Headingley rain puts ODI at risk

Headingley groundstaff faced a substantial drying operation to get the opening NatWest Series match between England and West Indies under way.

Persistent rain delayed the start of the campaign and play must get going by 4.30pm - the minimum number of overs to constitute a contest is 20 overs per side.

Headingley underwent a £600,000 re-surfacing, including a new drainage and irrigation system over the winter, and the expensive scheme was put to an immediate test with its first international fixture of the summer.

But it still took the sopping machines to remove the excess water off the outfield during a sunny period in early afternoon.

England, without star batsman Kevin Pietersen due to an Achilles injury, are hoping to build on their 3-2 one-day series win in the Caribbean.

Having also comprehensively defeated the tourists in the two-match Test series here, Andrew Strauss' team are looking to develop further momentum in the build-up to the Ashes, which begins in just under seven weeks.

Wet weather before the scheduled 10.45am start, and again following two inspections by umpires Steve Davis and Nigel Llong meant the prospect of a normal 50-over match receded rapidly.

The officials' first visit to the middle, 15 minutes after the expected start, resulted in surface water squelching under their boots and that was a theme of subsequent trips to inspect.

A further inspection was due at 2pm but the signs were not good as England wicketkeeper Matt Prior dragged up excess water as he surveyed the playing area.

Following the inspection, it was announced that another look would be taken at 3pm after a further mop-up operation.