Geoffrey Boycott
Ex-England batsman on BBC Test Match Special

It is very rare that you get to bat in perfect conditions. You get different things. I feel that if there is any doubt you have got to bat first.

The pitch looked very straw-coloured. There was no green grass.

Here's some encouragement, England fans...

While I break out the emergency sarnies, shall we have a quick look at the bowling figures so far?

• Anderson: 6-0-11-0
• Broad: 4-1-8-0
• Woakes: 3.5-1-12-0

Glenn McGrath
Ex-Australia pace bowler on BBC Test Match Special

The true test will come right on dusk to see how this pitch is going to play.

I'm sorry to say, folks, that this is the heavy stuff. It's tipping it down! The tarpaulin is being dragged out. There's plenty of people sheltering under flags to keep dry. The man in the Where's Wally outfit looks the warmest of them all.

Rain stops playpublished at 13.5 overs

13.5 overs

Aus 33-0

Another push and run from Bancroft takes him into double figures, before Warner scrabbles through for a leg bye.

There's more rain! I mean, of all the places you expect the cricket to get rained off... Warner and Bancroft rather charge off, while England mooch like a large boyband.

Josh Withers: Well bowling first was a terrible decision, hopefully someone tells us to pitch it up.

Paul Beard: Opportunity for England to regroup, hope Root remembers to start with at least one of Broad & Anderson when we restart.

Neil Leverett: Whatever the conditions, even if a hurricane was forecast, in an Ashes series in Australia, you just have to bat first. You just have to.

Ooh. David Warner has a bit of a flirt at Broad's first delivery, changes his mind, and the ball thuds off the bat and down towards second slip. Warner nods at Broad in recognition, and then promptly gets off strike with another tap and run. There's some swing there for Broad, as he gets one to move past Cameron Bancroft, but another little knock down and run keeps things moving along.

Another change for England - here's Stuart Broad, bowling from the City End. That's the end that doesn't have the wind blowing into a bowler's face.

Michael Vaughan
Ex-England captain on BBC Test Match Special

Fantastic stroke. It was really full and Warner just waits and waits.

Chris Woakes pushes the ball across David Warner, trying to tempt him into a drive. I imagine restarting as a batsman after a rain delay, however brief, is tricky. Not for Warner, though! Four! That is a fine stroke from the Australian opener, meeting a slightly over pitched delivery and shoveling it to the boundary. That's not a bad idea from Woakes, though. The follow up is too wide and Warner leaves it well alone, before adding another single to the total.

Chris Woakes is sprinkling some sawdust onto the pitch, which can mean only one thing. Cricket is about to happen! No overs have been lost, and we will still have tea in an hour's time at 5:30 GMT.

Rain delays are always tricky at this time of night. Do you risk a nap? Or just power through?

Thankfully, that one lasted just a couple of minutes. We'll start again at 04:30.

The stumps are painted a dark blue. In fact, they're quite difficult to miss. England might like to try bowling at them at some point.

The covers are coming off! Huzzah. That was the briefest of interruptions.

Michael Vaughan
Ex-England captain on BBC Test Match Special

The decision to bowl first is always a gamble but in the two Tests under lights that have been played here, the team batting first has lost. This pitch is a lot drier than the one South Africa played on last year.

It looks to me like Australia have sent a message to get some more pace in this pitch.

Image source, Getty Images

On come the giant covers, marshalled by an army of ground staff. There's one man in the stand trying - and failing - to keep dry by using a magazine as a hat.

After winning the toss and deciding to bowl, that's a poor start from England. It's been too short and Bancroft and Warner have got their eye in. Presumably Bayliss and Root will be making that very point while the rain falls.

Dan Norcross
BBC Test Match Special

I'm not sure this is a terribly bad thing for England.

Image source, Reuters

Rain stops playpublished at 11.2 overs

11.2 overs

Aus 24-0

Those spots of rain have just got heavier. Aleem Dar lets Chris Woakes bowl two balls before waving everyone off the pitch.

Inside they go. That's not the worst thing for England. Time for a rethink, chaps.

Andrew Samson
BBC Test Match Special statistician

The last time England took a wicket in this series was 16:05 on 25 November.