BIRMINGHAM, England, 29 June 2005 — Rain stopped play at 1952GMT in the Triangular Series One-Day International between England and Australia at Edgbaston here yesterday.

England, chasing a revised target of 200 in 33 overs after a previous 102-minute stoppage for bad weather, were 37 for one off six overs.

Marcus Trescothick was 11 not out after fellow opener Andrew Strauss was caught at mid-on off Glenn McGrath by Jason Gillespie.

Earlier Andrew Symonds took world champions Australia to 261 for nine in a match that was a dress rehearsal for Saturday’s Lord’s final.

Andrew Symonds took world champions Australia to 261 for nine in their Triangular Series final dress rehearsal at Edgbaston here yesterday. Birmingham-born aSymonds top-scored with 74 and put on 101 in 91 balls with Michael Hussey (45), after Australia were faltering at 123 for four. It was another impressive display by Symonds, who scored a man-of-the-match winning 73 in Australia’s 57-run win at Chester-le-Street last Thursday.

But England at least ensured the world champions did not make an even bigger by taking five late wickets for 30 runs in 37 balls.

However, with skies clouding over and flashes of lightning nearby, there was a chance that England might not bat for the 20 overs required to ensure a result. Fast bowler Stephen Harmison, back in the side after being rested for Sunday’s five-wicket win against Bangladesh at Old Trafford that set-up an Anglo-Australian final at Lord’s this Saturday, took two for 38 and wicketkeeper Geraint Jones five catches.

Australia, after winning the toss on the ground where back in September they saw a run of 14 successive one-day wins against England end with a six-wicket Champions Trophy semifinal defeat, got off to a flyer when 14 runs came off Darren Gough’s first over.

But at the other end Simon Jones, coming round the wicket, pegged things back and had Adam Gilchrist caught behind for 19.

Then, off the last ball of the over, the Glamorgan quick was involved in a controversial incident with Matthew Hayden, Australia’s other southpaw opener.

The batsman played the ball defensively back to the bowler who picked it up and threw it one bounce toward the striker’s stumps where it easily missed the wicket and instead hit Hayden, 14, on the left shoulder. It was a curious way to try to run Hayden out and the furious batsman let fly with some angry words at Jones, who had raised his hand in apology.

Australia captain Ricky Ponting tried to calm his team-mate. But Hayden was clearly rattled and lasted just seven more balls, failing to add to his score, as Jones (two for 53) had him plumb lbw with a textbook inswinger.

Then Andrew Flintoff had Ponting — driving firm-footedly — caught behind for 34.

But an English grip that had seen just 24 runs scored off 10 overs was loosened when occasional off-spinner Vaughan, fit again after two matches out with a groin strain, conceded 13 runs in his one over.

England though, just as they’d done in their seven-wicket win at Bristol on June 19, had Martyn caught upper-cutting Harmison at third man by Pietersen, this time for 36, the ball just staying in the fieldsman’s fingertips.

Symonds then pulled Flintoff for six before, stepping outside leg-stump, he carved Jones back over the bowler’s head for four.

But the 30-year-old Queenslander’s stand with Hussey was ended in bizarre fashion.