Adams, Flintoff steady the England ship

Bloemfontein: Chris Adams and Andrew Flintoff rescued England from a potentially embarrassing first innings collapse on the first day of their four-day Tour match against a make-shift Combination team from the Free State and Griqualand West at Goodyear Park on Friday.

Adams scored 84 off 188 balls (10x4) and Flintoff 65 off 128 balls (9x4) as they put on 132 for the sixth wicket to help the tourists reached 271 for seven at the close of the first day.

After the early loss of openers Mark Butcher (3) and stalwart Mike Atherton (26), England battled to 94 for three at lunch and were playing with fire at 127 for five as the steady, but unspectacular, provincial bowling line-up maintained a tight line and length.

The only resistance in the morning session had come from captain Nassar Hussain, who played positively for his 41 (63 balls, 8x4), before he was caught behind five balls after the break.

With Alec Stewart playing and missing before being bowled for 19, it was left to Adams and Flintoff to set about the task of rebuilding. Starting carefully, the two grew in confidence as the afternoon wore on and at tea had taken the score to 173 for five.

In the afternoon session, they went about producing the kind of form an international side should against a team of this stature. Punishing anything loose, the two played virtually faultless innings.

Adams' only moment of anxiety came with his score on four when an edge bisected first slip and the wicketkeeper, while Flintoff survived a dropped chance in the slips on 60.

Unfortunately for England, both were out in the final five overs, just when they should have been looking to consolidate. Adams edging one to first slip after a wild swing outside offstump and Flintoff finding himself trapped in front with one ball of the day remaining.

Best of the gutsy provincial attack were seamers Herman Bakkes, who took three for 50 in 19.5 overs, and Johan van der Wath (two for 72 in 12 overs).