England were frustrated by the rain on day three of the first Test against New Zealand at Lord's.

Just 8.5 overs of play were possible on another weather affected day with England finishing on 89 for none in reply to New Zealand's first innings total of 277 all out.

Alastair Cook remains unbeaten on 53 with Andrew Strauss not out on 31.

Showers held up the start of the third day by 25 minutes, and when things did get going it was once again in murky conditions. It took 13 balls for England to add to their overnight 68 without loss and Cook got off the mark for the day in the fourth over of the morning with a guided three to third man off Chris Martin.

Four wickets for Ryan Sidebottom yesterday resulted in the demise of New Zealand for 277.

Early morning drizzle began falling around a quarter of an hour before the scheduled 11am resumption. Wet weather sandwiched play on the first day, while bad light caused five stoppages yesterday.

Cook, 23, registered his 17th 50-plus score in Test cricket when he forced a four through the covers with a fine back-foot drive off Kyle Mills before the rain lashed down.

With the downpour getting heavier throughout the afternoon, all hope of further play was lost and the umpires confirmed an abandonment at 5.30pm.

Scoreboard

New Zealand 1st Innings 277 (B McCullum 97; R Sidebottom 4-55, J Anderson 3-66)

England 1st Innings (overnight 68-0)

A. Strauss not out 31
A. Cook not out 53

Extras (nb5) 5

Total (0 wkts, 30.2 overs, 153 mins) 89

To bat: M Vaughan, K Pietersen, I Bell, P Collingwood, T Ambrose, S Broad, R Sidebottom, M Panesar, J Anderson

Bowling: Martin 13-2-36-0 (2nb); Mills 9.2-1-19-0 (3nb); Southee 3-0-19-0; Oram 5-0-15-0

New Zealand: Jamie How, Aaron Redmond, James Marshall, Ross Taylor, Brendon McCullum (wkt), Daniel Flynn, Jacob Oram, Daniel Vettori (capt), Kyle Mills, Tim Southee, Chris Martin

Toss: England

Umpires: Simon Taufel (AUS) and Steve Bucknor (WIS)

TV umpire: Nigel Llong (ENG)

Match referee: Ranjan Madugalle (SRI)

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