imageBRISTOL: Rain delayed the scheduled 10:00am local time (0900GMT) toss and 10:30am (0930GMT) start of the first one-day international between England and India in Bristol on Monday.

Heavy overnight and persistent early morning rain made a prompt start at the County Ground, in south-west England, impossible with the pitch and square extensively covered.

India, the 50-over world champions, were looking to bounce back following their 3-1 defeat in the preceding Test series, a campaign that ended with England winning the final two matches by an innings.

England were due to give an ODI debut to hard-hitting Nottinghamshire opener Alex Hales in the first of this five-match series which marks the start of both teams lead-in to next year's World Cup in Australia and New Zealand.

This series also saw India bringing in former all-rounder Ravi Shastri put in "overall charge" of the side, with coach Duncan Fletcher, the former England boss, retaining his position despite being criticised following the Test series defeat.

Copyright AFP (Agence France-Presse), 2014

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