Governor's XI recover after shaky start against England in Peshawar

Having put the Governor's XI into bat, England did well in taking five wickets for 113 until an unbroken sixth wicket stand of 60 revived the innings in the last session of the day.

In conditions more akin to England than to the North-West Frontier Province of Pakistan (the cool day was shortened by a rain-delayed start and bad light after 56 overs), a partnership between Yasir Hameed and Mohammad Hussain took the Governor's XI to 173 for 5 when stumps were drawn early.

From 21 without loss at lunch after only a thirty-minute morning session, the Governor's XI total had advanced to 101 for two at tea.

Both wickets fell to catches behind the stumps. Craig White struck first dismissing Imran Farhat for 42 with the total on 58, and two runs later Andy Caddick found the outside edge of Taufeeq Umer's bat.

Wajahatullah Wasti, who got married yesterday and is having a local, traditional reception tonight, would not have taken too kindly to Darren Gough for striking him on the left hand and breaking a finger. He did not resume his innings after lunch.

Farhat had provided some entertaining batting in his 54-ball innings of 42 but was given a ' life ' when Graham Thorpe, at third slip, failed to hold onto a straightforward catch off Caddick with the total on 17.

The bowler would have been more than a little disappointed. He had been hit for two boundaries by Farhat at that stage. The first was a pull and then, two balls before the dropped catch, Farhat played a beautiful square cut.

England made an excellent start after tea with Ashley Giles taking two wickets in three balls in the first over, without addition to the tea total.

Twelve runs later Gough had the captain, Rashid Latif, caught at third slip. But then followed an attacking partnership during which Yasir Hameed reached his half-century from 107 balls, and hit five boundaries in his unbeaten 34.

Both batted with confidence, with Yasir Hameed fluent in his stroke-play, and Mohammad Hussain hitting the ball hard.

England used six bowlers of whom the two spinners, Ian Salisbury and Giles got a little turn from the grassy pitch, but the pace bowlers found plenty of early life and bounce.

The England bowling coach, Bob Cottam, declared himself satisfied with the English bowling performance.

"It was the first time the opening bowlers had bowled in the middle for a while and they were a little bit rusty," Cottam admitted. "Goughie ran in a little bit quickly to begin with because he hasn't had a new ball in his hand for a while.

"As the day went on, they settled in and did well and I talked to all the bowlers at the end, and they are all happy with what they've put in, and that's all you can really ask for.

"As we know, fast bowlers hunt in pairs and both the spinners like having another spinner at the other end, it's good for them. They have got to get over some of their rustiness, and they feel it is coming out nicely, and they're happy."