Persistent rain has washed out the first day of Pakistan's Test series in England at Lord's.

Umpires Peter Willey and Darrell Hair made the decision after heavy rain fell throughout the morning and into the afternoon. An inspection of the surrounds indicated that there was no realistic chance of play for the day.

England had been hoping that a delayed start would enable Craig White to regain fitness in time to play.

But it was revealed today that White failed a fitness test after practising in the indoor nets this morning. His injury is not thought to be serious but England coach Duncan Fletcher made it clear that he did not want White to risk aggravating his injury by playing.

White might be considered as a batsman for Yorkshire's National League match against Gloucestershire on Sunday or Wednesday's Benson & Hedges quarter-final clash with Somerset in Taunton.

White is due to have "further investigations" during that period and England hope he will be able to bowl again in the following week with a view to returning for the Old Trafford Test.

"These back injuries are a major problem because you don't really know what to do with them to an extent," said coach Duncan Fletcher.

"We felt that if he went away for two weeks he would stand of chance of being ready for the next Test.

"He will just play as a batter and just give the back a bit of a rest and see how long it takes.

"There are some further investigations taking place, but we're not regarding it as too serious at this stage."

England say the problem could be linked to the hamstring trouble White suffered during the winter tour of Pakistan.

White's omission means Ryan Sidebottom, Yorkshire's 23-year-old left-armer, will make his Test debut alongside Surrey's Ian Ward, who will bat at seven.

Fletcher said of White: "When he is in the side, the balance is better because he's two players in one.

"It becomes a bit more difficult, but we have a guy like Ryan Sidebottom who has bowled well and it's very important for an individual when he gets the right gap to make sure they're ready for it.

"We're going to have to monitor Craig and he'll do some bowling in about seven days time to see if there has been any improvement in his condition and we can make the decision from there.

"He can do everything except bowl. It hurts him only when he completes his bowling action - the only thing he can't do is finish the last tenth of his action.

"He doesn't feel it running up to bowl, he doesn't feel it putting his arm over the top - it's only right at the end that he feels anything which means he is only bowling at about 85%."

Alex Tudor, currently at The Oval waiting to start Surrey's match with Leicestershire, has been put on stand-by for England.

Despite today's washout, weather forecasters promise a settled spell of weather over the weekend.

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