Cook hits fifty in the gloom

Lord's, first Test, third day: England 89/0 (Cook 53*) trail
New Zealand 277 by 188 runs

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ONLY 42 minutes play was possible on a gloomy, wet Saturday as the opening Test of the summer stuttered towards a draw.

In the 53 balls the tourists managed to bowl, the England openers added 21 runs, with Alastair Cook recording his tenth half-century and his 17th score over 50 in only his 27th Test.



For the hardy souls who braved it out, at least there was the consolation of the FA Cup Final to watch, beamed onto the giant replay screen at the back of the Edrich stand.

And with a maximum 196 overs to be played over the next two days England will be praying for clear skies as they look for their first Lord's win since beating Bangladesh in May 2005.

• Live text commentary of day four on Cricinfo
• Live audio commentary on Test Match Special