Third Test: Rain halts England's progress at Old Trafford

England extended their first-innings lead to 85 runs before heavy rain halted their progress before tea on the second day of the fourth Test against India on Friday.

- Scorecard

The heavy downpour left the field water-logged. After delaying the ground inspection till water had been removed from the outfield, play was abandoned. 

Joe Root (48 not out) was creeping towards his half century and Jos Buttler (22 not out) kept the scoreboard ticking over as England reached 237 for six.

After resuming in the afternoon on 201 for six, Root and wicketkeeper Buttler comfortably rotated the strike but their progress was halted by heavy rain which stopped play for over an hour and forced the players to take an early tea.

Ian Bell had passed 50 for England on an overcast morning but seamer Bhuvneshwar Kumar claimed two quick wickets in a fine spell of bowling.

Nightwatchman Chris Jordan (13) was the first to fall when he played a loose pull shot and was caught at mid-wicket by Varun Aaron.

Bell (58) followed when Kumar tempted him into playing at a ball outside off stump and he edged it to wicketkeeper MS Dhoni.

Root and Moeen Ali nudged England ahead but Moeen (13) was dismissed when Aaron clean bowled him with a brutal inswinging delivery before Root and Buttler took the hosts safely to lunch.

Stuart Broad took six wickets as India were bowled out for 152 on the first day after winning the toss. The five-match series is level at 1-1.

Image: Puddles on the outfield as rain delays play during day two

Photographs: Gareth Copley/Getty Images