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Rain delays England v Oz start

Leeds - Heavy and persistent rain has delayed the toss and start of the first one-day international between England and Australia at Leeds on Friday.

With more rain forecast most of the day, the prospects of any play looked slim.

Large puddles of water developed on the out-field while the Headingley groundstaff try desperately to soak up and clear away the water from the large covers.

Both teams have yet to finalise their starting elevens but Eoin Morgan will take over as acting captain if play is possible with Alastair Cook rested following England's Ashes success.

Kevin Pietersen, who has scored 4 369 one-day international runs at an average of 41.60 from 132 ODIs, is hoping to play his first 50-over match since India in January.

Australian big hitter Aaron Finch, who struck 14 sixes and 11 in 156, the highest international T20 score, against England during last month's drawn series is expected to play.

Recently eligible Pakistan-born leg-spinner Fawad Ahmed, who made his ODI debut in Tuesday's 200-run win over Scotland, is also likely to start.

The second ODI is set to take place in Manchester on Sunday with further games in Birmingham, Cardiff and Southampton.

Teams (from):

England:

Michael Carberry, Kevin Pietersen, Jonathan Trott, Ravi Bopara, Eoin Morgan (captain), Joe Root, Jos Buttler (wkt), Ben Stokes, James Tredwell, Steven Finn, Boyd Rankin, Luke Wright

Australia:

Aaron Finch, Shaun Marsh, Shane Watson, Michael Clarke (captain), George Bailey, Adam Voges, Matthew Wade (wkt), Fawad Ahmed, Michael Johnson, James Faulkner, Clint McKay, Phil Hughes.

Umpires: Aleem Dar (PAK) and Richard Illingworth (ENG)

TV umpire: S Ravi (IND)

Match referee: Jeff Crowe (NZ)

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