The first two matches in the ICC Champions Trophy failed to get underway as scheduled on Friday because of rain.

Both the United States against New Zealand at The Oval and England versus Zimbabwe at Edgbaston, Birmingham, had their starts put back on the first day of the 12-team tournament.

However, the rain is expected to clear at both venues. Reserve days have been set aside for any rain-disrupted matches in the tournament.

The last Champions Trophy held in Sri Lanka in 2002 was dogged by rain delays with India and Sri Lanka having to share the trophy after the final was washed out.

The weather in England has been sunny in recent days but playing the tournament in September was always a risk heading into the English autumn.