Second Ashes Test: Rain causes delay as Australia reaches 33-0 in Adelaide

ADELAIDE: Rain interrupted play twice during the opening session of the inaugural day-night Ashes test at the Adelaide Oval, where Australia was 33 without loss after being sent in to bat by England captain Joe Root.

England bowled 11.2 overs, failing to create a single chance, before a brief shower forced players from the field. Play resumed but it was halted by the weather after a further 2.3 overs, suspending play until the scheduled tea break.

David Warner was on 21 while fellow opener Cameron Bancroft was on 10, with only 13.5 overs bowled.

Root said his decision to bowl was an easy one.

"With the overhead conditions that are around over the course of today, a fresh wicket, two chances at the pink ball on the first day, it gives us a great chance to take 10 wickets," Root said.

It was the first time since December 1982 that a captain decided to bowl first in Adelaide. Then, it was England's Bob Willis, and the visitors lost by eight wickets.

Australia won both previous day-night tests at the Adelaide Oval, beating New Zealand in 2015 and South Africa last year. But in both tests, the Australians batted first.

Seam bowler Craig Overton, making his test debut, replaced Jake Ball in the only change made to England's side. The 23-year-old Overton had an extended batting session against short-pitched bowling in training on Friday.

"He's been very impressive with the way he's done things on the tour so far," Root said.

Australia captain Steve Smith named an unchanged side from the one which defeated England by 10 wickets in the series opener at Brisbane.

England holds the Ashes after a 3-2 series victory in England, but Australia swept the visitors 5-0 the last time the Ashes was contested Down Under in 2013-14.