THE OLD ENEMY OF CRICKET IN ENGLAND, RAIN TODAY (SATURDAY) STEPPED IN AND THREATENED THE FIRST TEST BETWEEN ENGLAND AND AUSTRALIA WITH A DRAW.

THERE WAS NO PLAY AT ALL AT TRENT BRIDGE, WHERE THE COVERS STAYED ON THE WICKET ALL DAY. THE UMPIRES MADE AN INSPECTION EARLY IN THE DAY AND DECIDED THAT THERE COULD BE NO PLAY -- AND, INVARIABLY, DOWN CAME MORE RAIN.

THE LAST INSPECTION WAS AT FIVE O'CLOCK IN THE AFTERNOON, AND DESPITE CATCALLS AND JEERS FROM THE DIE-HARDS WHO STAYED AT THE GROUND IN THE HOPE OF SOME PLAY, THE UMPIRES DECISION WAS AGAIN NEGATIVE.

ENGLAND, THE WEATHER PERMITTING, WILL RESUME ITS FIRST INNINGS AT TRENT BRIDGE ON MONDAY WITH THE SCORE AT 216 RUNS FOR 8 WICKETS. ENGLAND'S NOT OUT BATSMEN ARE P.J. SHARPE ON 35 AND L.J.COLDWELL NO SCORE.