Ground staff clear water as rain delays play during day five of the first Ashes Test at Edgbaston. -AP
Play has resumed in the first Ashes Test after the start of a potentially thrilling final day was pushed back by more than three hours by rain.
Covers were finally removed from the Edgbaston pitch after lunch on Tuesday, before an inspection cleared play to restart at 2.15pm.
That is reliant on no further rain falling.
Australia need 174 more runs for victory and England seven wickets after the tourists went to stumps on day four at 3-107 chasing 281.
Usman Khawaja is not out 34 after his first-innings 141, with nightwatchman Scott Boland alongside him on 13.
Heavy cloud cover remained overhead, threatening not only the continuation of the match but increasing the difficulty of batting conditions.
A large crowd stayed through the rain at Edgbaston, looking forward to one of the most anticipated days of Test cricket in recent memory.
Provided there is no further interruption, there will be 67 overs available to complete the match.
Overs will be lost at the rate of one every four minutes for any further stoppages.
There is no limit to how late the match can go on to complete the allotted overs as long as it remains light enough, with sunset in Birmingham not expected until 9.30pm.