England dominate rainy day in Manchester

England had very much the better of an abbreviated first day's play in the crucial Third Test match against West Indies at Old Trafford in Manchester. In the 42 overs allowed by the weather, they reduced the tourists to 87 for four wickets, thanks once again to superb bowling by their three specialist seamers, Darren Gough, Andy Caddick and Dominic Cork.

Play began an hour late and England struck almost immediately, removing the West Indian openers for two runs apiece. In Gough's second over, Sherwin Campbell failed to keep down an edge and was very well caught at third slip by Graham Thorpe; West Indies 3 for one. Then, with the total on 12, Caddick got a ball to straighten on Adrian Griffith and trapped him lbw.

West Indies were struggling at 21 for two when a flurry of rain drove the players in to lunch five minutes early. Gough and Caddick had produced another outstanding exhibition of positive seam bowling to trouble all the batsmen and give their team the early advantage. Brian Lara was almost trapped lbw first ball and struggled to get off the mark.

Only 20 minutes' cricket was possible during the afternoon session, which was destroyed by several showers, some heavy. Mopping-up operations took some time and play did not restart until 5.30, with 24 further overs to be bowled in sunnier weather.

Cork bowled well in support of Gough and Caddick, making Hinds and Lara fight for almost every run. He was perhaps fortunate to break through this determined partnership, beating Wavell Hinds (26) and having him adjudged caught at the wicket by umpire Cowie, although the replay seemed inconclusive. West Indies were 49 for three. Eight balls later and without addition, Lara (13) dabbed Gough to fourth slip to be caught by Thorpe - not a convincing innings.

Jimmy Adams (16) and Ramnaresh Sarwan (17) set about retrieving the situation with some sensible and increasingly aggressive batting, and by the close had taken the score to 87 for four. Hussain relied throughout on his three-pronged seam attack which again did England proud.