Rain continued to delay the start of the third and final Test between England and West Indies at Edgbaston on Friday after washing out Thursday's first day completely.

A fourth straight session was lost to the weather, with no play before lunch on Friday after fresh early morning rain meant the pitch and square remained fully covered at the scheduled start of 11am local time (2000 AEST).

Not since 1964, during an Ashes clash at Lord's, have the first two days of a Test in England been washed out without a ball being bowled.

As the toss has yet to take place, neither side have named their team.

England have an unbeatable 2-0 lead in this three-match series.