Yousuf, 115 overnight, had edged up to 121 not out at The Oval, leaving most of the scoring to his captain. He was unbeaten on 27. Only 11.5 overs were possible in the session after more than an hour was lost to rain.

England have an unassailable 2-0 lead in the four-match series. They were bowled out for 173 on the first day.

Inzamam contributed two sumptuous back-foot boundaries, the first off Matthew Hoggard and the second off the struggling Steve Harmison, in the five overs available before the players were forced off for the first time.

On his return he quickly added two more fours off Harmison. The first was gloved to fine leg but the second was no more than a forward push which scorched away through mid-off. Yousuf's only boundary of the morning was an edged cut off Hoggard which cleared the slips.

Harmison and Hoggard, however, the only two bowlers used, tightened up their lines just before lunch. More rain, however, ended play a few minutes early. Harmison has bowled 20.5 overs in the match for 97 runs without taking a wicket.