Rain Disrupts England's Push for Series Win at Lord's

LONDON — The old foe returned to Lord’s on Saturday morning, and it wasn’t wearing green. It came in grey, low and unrelenting, as steady rain held up England’s push for victory on Day 3 of the second test against Pakistan.

Covers stayed on. Umbrellas went up. The start was delayed at the “home of cricket,” with showers forecast to linger over northwest London for much of the day and groundstaff locked in a familiar waiting game.

It was a cruel pause for an England side that had seized control of the match. If play opens up, they will resume on 81-3 in their second innings, already 261 runs ahead and dictating every field and every spell.

The platform is imposing. The situation is simple. With that kind of lead, every over lost to the weather feels like a small victory for Pakistan and a small irritation for an England team that has dominated the series so far.

England thrashed Pakistan by an innings at Headingley last week to go 1-0 up in the three-match contest. A win at Lord’s would seal the series with a test to spare, underlining their authority and piling pressure on a visiting side still searching for a foothold.

For now, though, all that momentum sits under cloud and canvas. The runs are in the book. The advantage is clear.

Only the weather is playing for time.