Thursday 3 August 2017 08:03, UK
Wet weather at Emirates Old Trafford is hampering preparations for the fourth Test between England and South Africa.
Heavy rain in the North West has threatened to disrupt the final match of the series, which the hosts lead 2-1 following their emphatic 239-run victory in the third Test at The Oval.
Heat lamps are being used to keep the pitch dry, while Lancashire second XI games have been moved from Old Trafford to help preserve the surface.
Organisers have also employed pitch consultants as staff try to avoid the same problems with the outfield which saw a waterlogged pitch disrupt England's match with India in 2014.
Large amounts of water collected on the outfield midway through England's first-innings - causing play to be abandoned until the following morning.
Both England and South Africa were forced to train indoors on Wednesday as heavy showers continued to fall in Manchester.
Joe Root will claim a series victory in his first attempt as England captain should the hosts avoid defeat in the final Test.
South Africa all-rounder Vernon Philander admits the tourists have under-performed this series but has backed his team-mates to recover from their heavy defeat at The Oval.
"We've got an honesty policy in the side," he said. "We all admitted it wasn't our best Test match - as players we take ownership of our performances.
"We let ourselves down with the bat in the first innings and we've been brutally honest about it. We're looking forward to correcting those mistakes and hopefully we can go level in the series."
Watch the fourth and final Test between England and South Africa from 10am on Friday on Sky Sports Cricket (channel 404) and Sky Sports Main Event (channel 401).
