Only 43 overs of play was possible after rain delayed the start and returned to cause a further interruption in the early afternoon.

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The match did not start until 1330 BST with a further 29 overs being lost to the rain in a match which weather has dominated.

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Crowds who had braved rain and storms to watch the start of the conclave on big screens in St Peter's Square cheered as the black smoke appeared.

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But its samples were collected in July, in the low season for tourism and at the start of the monsoon when rain would help to purify the water.

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For the moment there is no indication how long the ruling will remain in place, but with rain forecast until the start of next week, anyone planning a beach holiday to the Biarritz area should look elsewhere.

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In response to a rain-interrupted 207-5 set by Durham, the target at the start of their innings was 197 in 31 overs.

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In the neighbouring state of New South Wales, rivers swollen by weeks of persistent rain are expected to start bursting their banks this weekend amid downpours across the region.

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