England's first Test against New Zealand at Dunedin is subject to a pitch inspection at around 3.15am GMT.
There was no play before lunch as a combination of bad light and rain prevented any cricket from taking place Down Under.
Brendon McCullum won the toss for the hosts and elected to bowl should the pitch pass the inspection.
Earlier, the ECB confirmed that Graeme Swann would miss all of the Test series and will undergo surgery for an elbow problem.
Monty Panesar took his place in the England side, which was as expected, bar the injury to Swann.
