Series begins with Bristol washout

The one-day series between England and India began with an abandonment on a dank Bank Holiday in Bristol, as persistent rainfall prevented any possibility of the players taking to the field.

Rain had begun to fall the previous evening and continued through the night, with the pitch under covers ahead of the scheduled 10.30am start. Although it eased off for periods and the possibility remained for a 20-over game to begin as late as 3.45pm, another heavy shower spurred the umpires to call things off at around 1.30pm.

It meant that for the third year running, the first ODI of the latter part of the English summer was washed out, after series against South Africa and Australia began in similar fashion in Cardiff in 2012 and at Headingley last year. There was also disappointment for Gloucestershire, with Bristol set to host its first ODI since 2010.

The teams will move on to Cardiff for the second of five matches, taking place on Wednesday, with Alex Hales still awaiting his 50-over debut for England. Having lost the Test series 3-1, India will be hoping the change in format brings with it a change in fortune.