Matthew Henry
BBC Sport at Old Trafford

Joe Root and Zak Crawley are already practicing their slip catching. Chris Woakes is doing some stretches.

Mitchell Marsh is the only Australia player in sight.

Jim Maxwell
BBC Test Match Special

I'm still yet to be convinced we'll actually get on to start. The weather still looks a bit mucky. England, though, deserve the opportunity to win this. Let's hope it does get under way and we get an hour or two of play.

Matthew Henry
BBC Sport at Old Trafford

59 overs to be bowled

Afternoon session 14:45 - 17:00

Tea 17:00 - 17:20

Evening session 17:20 - 19:00

Plus extra 30 mins available to bowl the overs

Image source, Getty Images

A bit more from England's Mark Wood, who spoke to BBC Sport a little earlier: "I think Chris Woakes has bowled magnificently too, he's looked threatening ever since he's come in. He's had control and skill. We feel pretty round as a seam bowling group.

"The pitch did offer some spin for Mo (Moeen Ali) as well, so Ben Stokes has plenty of options about which way he wants to go. We've got different tactics about how we can play it. We've bowled really well as a group so far this game. Now the ball is reversing and there's wet around which might mess around the ball."

Has Stephan Shemilt (see entry at 11:43) cashed out his little flutter with Henry Moeran for £4.57, or will he hang on for another 30 minutes?

Phil Tufnell
Former England spinner on BBC Test Match Special

It's very dangerous for a side to hope for rain, it's never saved me. It changes their mindset a lot.

Matthew Henry
BBC Sport at Old Trafford

If there is no more rain play will begin at 14:45 BST!

The two umpires - Joel Wilson and Nitin Menon - have been speaking to the head of the groundstaff.

Image source, BBC Sport

Matthew Henry
BBC Sport at Old Trafford

Inspection done and more covers are being rolled up.

Umpire Joel Wilson had a long chat with Ben Stokes afterwards.

I was desperately trying to read their body language. It didn't look particularly positive but England are now bringing out some equipment for the warm-ups...

Image source, BBC Sport

Looking for an Ashes cricket fix while we wait for the conditions to improve?

How about our How to Win the Ashes documentary on iPlayer?

A deep dive into one of the fiercest rivalries in sport. Unearthing stories from the most unforgettable series, a look at what it takes to lift the most famous cricket trophy, the Ashes urn.

Through in-depth interviews with cricket legends including Ben Stokes, Jimmy Anderson and Glenn McGrath, this documentary relives the on-field heroics and lifts the lid on the behind-the-scenes turmoil, revealing a darker side to the pursuit of success.

Play, of sorts, has already commenced at Old Trafford.

Image source, Getty Images

Image source, Getty Images

Image source, Getty Images

This is how Old Trafford looks now.

They are scooting round trying to clear up the excess water as we speak ahead of the 14:00 BST inspection.

Image source, BBC Sport

Image source, Getty Images

England's Mark Wood speaking to BBC Sport about his 100th wicket: "Very proud moment, my family were in the crowd and I am delighted that I managed to get there. Feels like we have a good experience in the group and feels good to join an elite group of bowlers. I'm pleased I could get there but I hope I have a few more in the tank today.

"We look at all the players, not just Steve Smith. Maybe with Smith I try harder because he is such a good player, so you're desperate to get his wicket. He's a key player for their team, so you're trying really hard to get rid of him. My first 20 balls to him are key, I'm trying to make an impact early and change the game for the team.

"Stoke has asked me to bowl those short and sharp spells and try to make something happen. He's not worried about the runs I go for, just trying to attack. We sometimes try to keep it tight and then other times just attack.

"I wouldn't look that far ahead at the minute, I was pleased I managed to get here, it's a big tick for me. I have got a poor injury record but in these two games I've given it everything I've got. Most importantly, we need to get over the line in this game. Big wickets to get here. Australia have got a big batting line up so if I get them, then we can look ahead."

England's Mark Wood is hopeful of some play today and told BBC Sport: "I didn't expect it [the inspection] to happen to so quickly, the groundstaff have done an amazing job and we have a little period where we think we can get on here."

England fast bowler Mark Wood has just done a few interviews, including to BBC Sport, so we'll have his thoughts very shortly.

Image source, BBC Weather

And so it begins...

A reminder that we have a delayed start to day four of the fourth Ashes Test at Old Trafford due the weather.

The good news is it has stopped raining, the bad news is the BBC Weather experts have forecast more rain later in the afternoon.

Whether we get any play will now hinge not only on the weather, but whether the groundstaff can get the outfield to a state whereby the umpires can determine a start time when they conduct their inspection at 14:00.

I suspect the outcome of the first inspection will be...to announce a time for another inspection.

Ian Blyth: OK all my Manchester based mates, get the bath towels out of the airing cupboard and get yourself to Old Trafford (the proper one). It's D-Day (the D stands for Drying)

Matthew Henry
BBC Sport at Old Trafford

We have news.

If there is no further rain there will be an inspection at 14:00 BST.

That's 45 minutes away.

Stephan Shemilt
BBC Sport chief cricket writer at Old Trafford

On the subject of weddings, I used to play with someone who had a few of them. Once he got married on Saturday morning so he and the wedding guests could play cricket in the afternoon. A subsequent wedding (to a different person) was followed by him going on a cricket tour the following day.