Rain rules at Lord's

Alastair Cook brings up his 10th Test fifty with a superb cover drive © Getty Images

Heavy cloud and persistent showers over Lord’s frustrated England’s efforts to overhaul New Zealand’s first innings 277 all out today.

The hosts were 89 without loss when light drizzle forced the players off at 12.05pm after just 40 minutes play in a rain-delayed morning session.

Umpires Steve Bucknor and Simon Taufel made several attempts to inspect the conditions during the afternoon but play was eventually called off for the day at 5.15pm.

Earlier, Alastair Cook brought up his 10th Test fifty as England resumed their reply on 68 for no wicket.

Cook, who also has seven centuries to his name, reached the landmark from 79 balls with an exquisite front foot drive through the covers for four off Kyle Mills.

Opening partner Andrew Strauss provided reliable support at the other end, reaching 31 when the conditions forced the players off with Cook on 53.

England’s openers had made a patient start to the resumption of their innings at 11.25am in the face of some tight bowling from Mills and Chris Martin.

Like the first two days, the overhead conditions favoured the seam bowlers but the pitch continued to play true, allowing the batsmen to play themselves in.

Both began to assert themselves - Strauss played a controlled upper cut over the slip cordon for four off a short Martin delivery before Cook reached his fifty.

But drizzle began to fall soon after as lunch was taken early, after which there was no more play