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Edgbaston's groundstaff are planning to work through the night in an effort to get the playing area ready for the opening day of the third Ashes Test on Thursday.

The high water table at the ground and persistent rain throughout Wednesday left the outfield covered in huge puddles, and threatens to prevent the match between England and Australia starting on time.

The mop-up operation was set to continue around the clock, however, after Warwickshire hired an extra three super-soppers from the manufacturers.

Two are normally stationed at the ground but the persistent deluge meant extra machines were required.

The most torrential downpours came after 5pm, which followed an intense spell of mopping which had removed most of the excess off the surface.

Drainage

More traditional methods of drying the playing area are required in Birmingham compared to the four other Ashes venues this summer.

Cardiff, Lord's, Headingley and the Oval have all had extensive new drainage systems put in place over the past couple of years.

Warwickshire, like their rivals, were given the opportunity to install something similar following an England and Wales Cricket Board handout of £600,000 per county.

However, any such project last winter would not have fitted in with their other redevelopment plans at the ground, and were therefore put on hold.