Scotland’s clash with England at the Grange was eventually abandoned today after the incessant rain showers proved too much.

After Scotland carded an innings of 156-9 off 44 overs, England could only run up a score of 10-0 before rain forced play to stop for good around 6pm. 

Scotland settled into a steady rhythm after a jittery start against England in their first ever competitive meeting at a rainy Raeburn Place in Edinburgh.

Exploiting seamer-friendly conditions after winning the toss, England reduced Scotland to 11 for three until former Yorkshire and England all-rounder Gavin Hamilton teamed up with Colin Smith and helped them recover to 32 for three after 10 overs of a game reduced to 47 overs.

England took just eight deliveries to claim their first breakthrough, with Nottinghamshire all-rounder Patel - whose left-arm spin was preferred to Graeme Swann as the slow-bowling option - running out opener Ryan Watson with his first touch in international cricket.

Hamilton, who played one Test for England in 1999 against South Africa in Johannesburg, clipped Yorkshire all-rounder Bresnan to mid-wicket but immediately declined a quick single.

However, Scotland captain Watson had already advanced down the wicket and was unable to return to his crease at the non-striker's end before Patel pounced to throw down the stumps.

Durham batsman Kyle Coetzer, one of four members of the Scotland line-up with county experience, lasted just one over before becoming Bresnan's first victim on his return to international cricket.

Bresnan also struck in his next over to remove Warwickshire's Nav Poonia, who this time edged to Patel at third slip.

But Hamilton began Scotland's recovery by launching James Anderson over mid-wicket for six - a shot which prompted an exchange of words with the Lancashire seamer - while Smith hooked Bresnan for another six.

Hamilton was Scotland’s top run scorer of the day with 60, before eventually being caught by Andrew Flintoff from Matt Prior’s ball.