Just seen a shot of a rather sad looking fan in the stands wrapped up in a big blanket and using one of those four/six cards as a makeshift umbrella.

My colleague Dan Norcoss has been chatting to the scorer at the ground and has learned that play needs to start by 19:32 local time (14:32 GMT) to get a game in. Even then any delays after that will see the match abandoned.

Got a bit of fright as a giant hand loomed into view on my TV screen to give the soggy screen a wipe.

They will be doing it again in a minute because the rain has just got heavier - puddles on the covers heavier.

These unorthodox cricket shots are just getting ridiculous.

Image source, Getty Images

A bit of news - England Test captain Ben Stokes is set to miss this summer's Hundred to focus on his fitness for the Ashes in Australia at the end of the year.

Stokes, 33, has not been retained by Northern Superchargers as the teams announced their new signings and initial squad lists for the 2025 tournament.

The all-rounder tore his left hamstring during England's tour of New Zealand in December having only just recovered from the same injury that he suffered playing for Superchargers in August.

The injury required surgery and he was ruled out for at least three months.

My colleague Ffion Wynne has got all the details for you.

Urgh

Image source, Getty Images

The delay has just ticked past an hour so we are now officially losing overs.

A minimum of 20 overs per side is needed for a match.

It is indeed. Winter cricket anyone? The pitch would be a minefield.

Could still be fun though.

Image source, Getty Images

I have seen another close-up floodlight shot and the rain looks to have got heavier.

I also caught a glimpse of rather limp-looking Australia and South Africa flags - there is little or no breeze to shift these rain clouds.

This is my one and only Champions Trophy text commentary shift, so forgive me for being a bit miffed.

I had to write a tennis report the other day for a match in Qatar and even that had a rain delay.

This is the state of play in Group B.

A win for Australia or South Africa today would not guarantee a semi-final place but they will be in a very good position to both go through and top the group.

England will be watching this match closely - a washout will boost their chances of progressing.

We are seeing a close-up shot of the floodlights, which is illuminating steady rain set to a grey, gloomy backdrop.

There are no groundstaff on the outfield, a few are milling about just over the boundary sponge. What looks like a supper sopper is ready to go.

If the rain does relent then the clean-up should begin fairly rapidly.

What a sad image this is, very Old Trafford.

It looks like the rain could ease enough to get a truncated game in.

We do not start losing overs until 10:00 GMT (15:00 local time) so there is still a chance of getting a full game.

The rain is not heavy - definitely in drizzle territory. So if it does stop the match should get going fairly quickly.

Image source, Getty Images

This is the scene in Rawalpindi - though since this photo was taken it has got gloomier and the floodlights are on.

Sigh.

We have a blockbuster match for you today as South Africa take on Australia.

But, I am sorry to say, it is raining in Rawalpindi. The covers are firmly on and the toss has been delayed.

We will just have to chat amongst ourselves for a bit.