The Black Caps' hunt for a rare test victory in England may have to wait a week.
Leading a youthful and largely untested England batting lineup by 267 runs heading into day three of the first test at Lord's, on a pitch that was starting to show signs of uneven pace and bounce, the Black Caps were eying eight wickets to put themselves back in the driver's seat.
They were in that comfy position after day one, before a middle-order batting collapse in the first session of day two was complemented by a 93-run unbeaten stand in the final session by Rory Burns and Joe Root, to leave the match evenly poised.
Then it rained, and a day which promised plenty instead delivered nothing.