Rain delays play in 1st England-Australia ODI

Heavy and persistent rain delayed the toss and start of the first one-day international between England and Australia in Leeds, northern England on Friday.

With more rain forecast for most of the day, the prospects of any play looked slim.

Large puddles of water developed on the out-field, while the Headingley ground staff tried desperately to soak up and clear away the water from the covers.

Both teams have yet to finalise their starting XIs, but Eoin Morgan will take over as acting England captain if play is possible with Alastair Cook rested following the hosts' Ashes success.

Kevin Pietersen, who has scored 4,369 one-day international runs at an average of 41.60 in 132 ODIS, is hoping to play his first 50-over match since January.

Australian big-hitter Aaron Finch, who struck 14 sixes and 11 fours in a record-breaking innings of 156 against England during last month's drawn Twenty20 series is expected to play.

Newly eligible Pakistan-born leg-spinner Fawad Ahmed, who made his ODI debut in Tuesday's 200-run win over Scotland, is also likely to start.

The second ODI is set to take place in Manchester on Sunday, with further games scheduled in Birmingham, Cardiff and Southampton.

Teams from:

England: Michael Carberry, Kevin Pietersen, Jonathan Trott, Ravi Bopara, Eoin Morgan (capt), Joe Root, Jos Buttler (wkt), Ben Stokes, James Tredwell, Steven Finn, Boyd Rankin, Luke Wright

Australia: Aaron Finch, Shaun Marsh, Shane Watson, Michael Clarke (capt), George Bailey, Adam Voges, Matthew Wade (wkt), Fawad Ahmed, Michael Johnson, James Faulkner, Clint McKay, Phil Hughes

Umpires: Aleem Dar (PAK) and Richard Illingworth (ENG)

TV umpire: S Ravi (IND)

Match referee: Jeff Crowe (NZ)